Chatham Arts Council

We nurture creative thinkers

  • About
    • Our Who, What, Why, and How
    • Our Past
    • Our Friends
    • Our Press
    • Our Contact Info
  • Kids
    • ClydeFEST-To-Go
      • ClydeFEST-To-Go Activity Page
    • Artists-in-Schools
    • – VIRTUAL Artists-in-Schools
      • Virtual Artists-in-Schools Residencies
  • Artists
    • Meet This Artist
    • Go See This
    • Arts Directory
    • Arts Calendar
    • Grant Programs
    • – CAARE Artists Relief Grants
      • – CAARE Grant Application for Funds
    • – Grassroots Arts Grants
    • – Artist Support Grants (OCT 1 DEADLINE)
    • – NC CARES for Arts Grants (NOV 9 DEADLINE)
    • – Emerging Artist Grants (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOV 30)
  • CAARE
    • CAARE Application
    • Donate to CAARE
  • Masks for Many
    • Donate Money
    • We Need Masks
  • Who Values Arts
  • GIVE
    • Individuals & Families
    • Businesses
    • Chatham Artist/Arts-Workers Relief Effort (CAARE)
    • Masks for Many

Search Chatham Arts Council

May 20, 2020

Go See This: Sarah Shook of Sarah Shook and the Disarmers in a live streamed show

As new members of our Chatham County community, Chatham Park is powering our Go See This series this year because art is an integral part of Chatham County’s identity. They join us in inviting you to Go See This . . .

Sarah Shook’s path to music stardom has been as windy as the Haw River. Growing up in a strict fundamentalist Christian home in upstate New York, she wasn’t allowed to listen to any current music–only gospel and classical. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that she found her way to contemporary music, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Sarah’s family moved to North Carolina when she was 19. It was here in Chatham, at the City Tap, that she and her band The Disarmers (formerly The Devil) cultivated a loyal following. The band released their first album in 2015, Sidelong, followed by a second in 2018, Years, which landed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 25 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2018 So Far. Both albums were recorded at Manifold Recording, here in Chatham. 

As with most bands, Sarah’s touring schedule was interrupted by the pandemic. But instead of resting on her laurels, Sarah has been busy at home, and she’ll be playing a live streamed performance on May 22. No tickets are necessary, so sit back in the comfort of your own home to hear her sing.

Sarah sat down with the Chatham Arts Council recently to talk about her journey in music and her life as an artist here in Chatham. Enjoy!  

What was the music scene like in Chatham when you first started playing here? How has it changed?

There wasn’t much in the way of full-time live music venues in Chatham circa 2007; the Bynum Front Porch Music Series had a weekly band or artist when the weather was cooperative and that about summed it up. Over the years, different businesses in town have had live music as a sort of add-on, but none succeeded in becoming a hub or destination to see music quite like the City Tap. While most of the acts you’ll see there are regional, any national act worth their salt looking to play Chatham County can typically find an exceptional audience and a good time at the Tap.

Growing up, which bands/artists inspired you?  

I had a really strict fundamentalist Christian upbringing and was only allowed to listen to worship music and classical music. It wasn’t until my late teens that I started listening to contemporary artists. I cut my teeth on Elliott Smith, Belle & Sebastian, and Blonde Redhead.

What was the first song you learned to play on your guitar?  

Probably something I wrote, but honestly it was so long ago I can’t be sure. It’s pretty typical for beginner guitarists to pick a sort of classic song everyone knows to learn first, but I didn’t really have that option considering my raising.

How do you feel your music has evolved, especially between your first and second album?  

It’s a really big deal for me to work on myself as a person and to evolve. I think anyone who makes art of any kind will tell you that the more you grow as a person, the more your art grows and evolves. If art is an outward expression of an individual’s internal world, this makes perfect sense. I did a bit of growing between when we recorded “Sidelong” in 2015 and our studio time for “Years” in 2017, and I do think it reflects in the work itself. “Years” feels a bit more self-aware, polished, and poised, in contrast to the blow-the-doors-off recklessness of “Sidelong.” We recorded and mixed both albums at Manifold Recording Studio here in Chatham County, and the sound quality of both records is truly phenomenal.

What have you been up to while you’ve been quarantined?  

I’ve been scheming up lots of ways to keep my brain and body busy! I’m teaching myself Spanish, practicing vocal exercises, going for lots of walks, practicing yoga, drawing, painting, I enrolled in “Fashion As Design” (an affordable online course from MOMA), writing and recording demos of new songs, and, of course, keeping our social media channels spinning like a top.

How do you feel about doing live-streamed performances? Is it hard to play without having an audience’s energy?  

I do miss the energy of a packed club, but mostly I miss playing with my bandmates.  When it comes to exuding energy and breathing life into my songs, they’re the real MVPs. 

What: Sarah Shook on Livestream
When: Friday, May 22 at 7pm
Where: Online on YouTube
Cost: Free
For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/north-carolina/live-stream-sarah-shook/2267129690260613/

All photos courtesy of Bloodshot Records

Related

By Rachel Flanagan | Filed Under: Go See This, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Chatham County, City Tap, Go See This, live music, Manifold Recording, Pittsboro, Sarah Shook, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Become a Member

Help us invest in artists and educate kids through the arts in Chatham County. Will you renew your membership or join us for the first time today?

Join Now →

Very Cool ClydeFEST 2019 Sponsors

  • 2016-0912-cac_clydefest_sponsor_hobbs-architects_logo_small
  • 2016-0915-cac_clydefest_sponsor-logo_lesley-landis-designs
  • B and J Custom Printers

  • 2017-1119 CAC_Chatham Park_logo
  • 2016-0921-cac_clydefest_sponsor_logo_blueline-contracting
  • Screen Shot 2014-11-05 at 11.40.02 AM
  • Screen Shot 2014-11-05 at 11.40.43 AM
  • 2016-1113 CAC_Pickin_Sponsor_Logo_501 Pharmacy
  • 2017-1119 CAC_Cheek Electric_logo
  • 2016-1113 CAC_Pickin_Sponsor_Logo_Katy McReynolds
  • 2017-1119 CAC_Deep River Mercantile_logo
  • 2018-0321 CAC_Chatham Pediatric Dentistry_Logo
  • 2018-0327 CAC_Woodscapers_logo
  • 2016-0912 CAC_ClydeFEST_Sponsor_Rosemary House_Logo

Latest Tweet

My Tweets

PO Box 418
Pittsboro, NC 27312
919-542-0394
Email Us

Local Businesses Investing in the Arts

  • 2016-0912-cac_clydefest_sponsor_hobbs-architects_logo_small
  • 2016-0915-cac_clydefest_sponsor-logo_lesley-landis-designs
  • B and J Custom Printers

  • 2017-1119 CAC_Chatham Park_logo
  • 2016-0921-cac_clydefest_sponsor_logo_blueline-contracting
  • Screen Shot 2014-11-05 at 11.40.02 AM
  • Screen Shot 2014-11-05 at 11.40.43 AM
  • 2016-1113 CAC_Pickin_Sponsor_Logo_501 Pharmacy
  • 2017-1119 CAC_Cheek Electric_logo
  • 2016-1113 CAC_Pickin_Sponsor_Logo_Katy McReynolds
  • 2017-1119 CAC_Deep River Mercantile_logo
  • 2018-0321 CAC_Chatham Pediatric Dentistry_Logo
  • 2018-0327 CAC_Woodscapers_logo
  • 2016-0912 CAC_ClydeFEST_Sponsor_Rosemary House_Logo
Subscribe to our E-News
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Proud member of Arts NC and Designated County Partner to the NC Arts Council
Copyright © 2021 Chatham Arts Council • Website by Tomatillo Design