Sera Cahoone’s Music is beautiful in every way. From the simple arrangement of the music, to the highly personal content of her lyrics, her songs are easy to love. Her self titled debut album was released in 2006 and distributed under special agreement with Sub Pop, who quickly signed her to their label that same year. It received much love on KEXP and NPR, and she has since toured with the likes of Iron & Wine, The Long Winters, Son Volt, and Matt Costa.
In her latest effort Only As The Day Is Long, released in 2008, Cahoone continues where she left off. The record is full of songs about life, love, loss, longing, and a deep down hope that we really can get back all those things we have lost. It is after all, at it’s heart, Country music. On the title track Only As The Day Is Long, Cahoone spins a tale of the compromises that often come with being lonely. But she is also quick to point out that all things do pass.
“Lightnin strikes me only in waves
And I know I’m safe for now
But I know the rest is on it’s way
I know it isn’t easy
Nothin’ is the way I want it
All this will pass
Cause it’s only as the day is long”
Cahoone is headlining both days this weekend with the Moondoggies, and Widower or Magic Mtn depending on which night you get to go. The Tractor rarely gives anybody two night in a row, much less a Friday / Saturday night run. They usually only do that when they are pretty sure the nights will sell out. If you want in you better buy tickets, it will definitely be worth it as Sera shows is here in here video for “Baker Lake”, the second track off of Only As The Day Is Long.
Band Members:
Jason Dodson – Guitar
Jesse Bonn – Guitar, Piano
Tim Gadbois – Guitar, Piano
Ryan McMackin – Drums, Percussion
Chris Warner – Bass Guitar
Chris Zasche – Pedal Steel Guitar
Seth Warren – Violin
Kevin Barrans – Accordion, Banjo
Tomo Nakayama – Percussion, Piano
Before I get too far in to the review, this must be said: The absolute highlight of the night was at the end of Hey Marseilles set; a super medley of holiday tunes, with Thomas Gray of Champagne Champagne and the Sugarplum Elves joining in. This would have been the perfect end to any night, but with The Maldivesup next, a band that is as close as you can be to superstars in Seattle’s country/folk rock scene, it seemed the night was just warming up.
Announcing early in their set that there would be no holiday music seemed a bit odd, especially because this event was billed as The Maldives Christmas show, but front man Jason Dodson quickly followed by promising several new songs. The band launched into their set playing, “Time Is Right Now,” released this September on Listen to the Thunder, and is a great showcase of all seven members of the band (eight if you want to count Kevin Barrans’ impressive ZZ Top beard). Starting out slow, with Jason on his guitar, followed by the other two guitarists, Jesse Bonn and Tim Badbois, and Seth Warren on violin. Suddenly the rest of the band joins in, and each member is given a chance to shine and rock out, yet still keep a distinctive country feel to the entire song. But it is impossible to sound anything but country when you have a pedal steel guitar, banjo, and violin (which I am resisting the urge to call a fiddle). “Tequila Sunday” is another great song that features all the members of the band, even if it seems to drag a bit long, with the crowd loudly applauding near the end, only to realize there was still another minute left in the song.
The Maldives played a strong set all night, but it wasn’t strong enough to keep the room packed. Neumos started the night almost full, but near the end of The Maldives set, the half of the floor was empty and there was plenty of room along the railings of the upper section. Seattle is not kind to country bands, with The Maldives unable to keep the room full, highlighting the fact. With a half-full room and the lack of any explosive finale or encore the real stars of the night may have turned out to be Hey Marseilles instead of the headliners.
Band Members
Sarah Borges – Guitar, Vocals
Binky – Bass
Lyle – Guitar
Rob – Drums
Let’s play a game; I’ll ask you a question and you answer out loud. Ok here we go. What kind of music do you like?
(You answer now…)
How many of you had a long list that ended with, “well, pretty much everything but country?” Don’t be ashamed, I am one of those people too! However, when I saw Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, I sang to a different tune. This show was the perfect example of how great shows can cross genre lines.
No matter what kind of music you are into, Sarah Borges can sing! Even though I hadn’t the foggiest clue what she was talking about, this girl has so much fire and passion in her voice that I wanted to sing along. Country/Rockabilly is an emotionally forthcoming genre. The way that Sarah sings her heart out, you know she is sharing her own life stories and mended heart.
Not only does Sarah Borges sing, but she can dance too! The entire band’s stage presence was entertaining. Their level of energy matched the music as a perfect compliment. I have never done a line dance, but this band was so engaging that I was almost willing to learn. To put the ice cream on the hot peach cobbler, Sarah Borges was absolutely beautiful. It was a pleasure to watch her do her thing.
I’ve talked predominantly about Sarah Borges, but the Broken Singles are not to be overlooked. Their full sound was well polished and dynamic. The Broken Singles were punchy when it was needed, and they were able pull of melodic subtlety as well. All and all, this was quite an entertaining show.
With all these great things, it was a shame the venue wasn’t filled to capacity. But hey, that’s was Seattle Show Gal is for! If you see that Sarah Burges and the Broken Singles are coming to a town near you, don’t miss it; it’s a fun show.
Seattle Show Gal is in hot pursuit of undiscovered talent! How many great bands are out there that are slipping through the cracks? Seattle is saturated with so much music, it would be nearly impossible to sift through it all to find the good stuff. The Seattle Show Gal staff is not so proud to think that we can bring you all of it, but we are actively pursuing all different types of acts to give you a pulse on what is going on--right here in Seattle! (See more in "About")
