Sarah Elliott & Sarah MacDougall - Drive TV Vancouver

- Drive TV Vancouver - Sarah with Sarah MacDougall
@ the (new) cultch
July 27th 2009

http://www.myspace.com/sarahmacdougall

Some reviews and quotes about Sarah MacDougall:

"The Stockholm syndrome

Sweden and Canada share a few things - harsh winters and a love of Americana music are two obvious ones. MacDougall born in Sweden and living in Vancouver doubles the love. When I first heard her voice on this record 'The Ballad of Sherri' it was shrouded, a scratchy sound - one string guitar sounding like it was recorded in a cardboard box, her voice still entranced and when the full colour version arrives later in the song, it was too late, I was already smitten. Any remnants of reluctance were dissolved by 'Ramblin'' which is built from a pool of tears and has the kind of chorus that breaks hearts and connects at some emotional level. She sings 'I don't want to be alone anymore' and I'm checking flight times to BC whilst making favourable comparisons to Neko Case. MacDougall is dramatic though in a more matter of fact way - it just so happens that she has a beautiful voice - The songs aren't so much showcases for her voice, the voice is put to work in the service of the songs.

Heartbreak is what she does. 'I've Got Sorrow' is a lament where she cradles the lyrics with the passion and devotion of someone holding on to the hand of a loved one who is slipping away. She questions mortality on Crow's Lament' where she wonders where birds go to die and says 'Goodbye Julie' with an air of finality and no small measure of tenderness as she goes deeper and higher than she does elsewhere. She'll be crossing the Atlantic to tour England throughout May and June and with this record acting as a primer it'd be just as well getting your tickets early." - AMERICANA UK, DAVID COWLING

"MacDougall s latest effort, Across the Atlantic (due out in early 2009 on Copperspine Records) is a moving blend of Scandinavian folk and indie Americana. From sing-a-long ditties to heart-breaking epics, Across the Atlantic gracefully highlights the hook, energy, and honesty of one of the most promising exports to come out of Sweden since ABBA rolled into town drunk on Absolute in their Volvo station wagon." - R. C. Joseph, 24 hours, Vancouver,

"Most accurately described as Scandinavian country music, the album s 10 songs present country music in a refreshingly new context with elements of folk, world and old minstrel music. As a songwriter MacDougall writes engaging lyrics wrapped around appealing melodic hooks and her voice is as beguiling as it s captivating (in her low register she resembles Eliza Gilkyson). She also shows considerable skill as a producer weaving a variety of musical threads into a fascinating musical tapestry."- The Record

"What a great record she has! It has easily been my most played CD this year so far"- James Windsor, promoter Cosmic American

"This newish Vancouver singer-songwriter offers up a tasty collection of mid- tempo alt-folk tunes marked by classy instrumentation beyond that of your average Canadian folkie. As a singer, MacDougall has the honeyed pipes of Austin folkie Eliza Gilkyson, but as a composer she calls to mind such arty CBC Radio favourites as Danny Michel and Christine Fellows. The violin and cello work is particularly fine. The title track, about a trip to her native Sweden, is a standout. So is the closer, Goodbye, Julie, which along with the first track, Song For Sherri, should solidify her following among the crowd."- Winnipeg Free Press

"Sarah MacDougall, Hundred Dollar Bills (Copperspine): Swedish-born Vancouverite delivers a vivid snapshot of urban poverty. MacDougall doesn t name names, but the dark shadow of Willie Pickton looms over the verse about corpses in the fields. " - Instant Playlist, Georgia Straight

"With her melancholy dark voice she takes us on a trip through unhappy love, dying crows and satire. Sarah proves that she soon will belong to the big players within Americana/Alternative country...This is what Vancouver should sound like." - Top 3 of 2008, svullbuk.blogspot.com,(DJ Dake, promoter at Mosebacke, Stockholm)

"Sarah MacDougall was mesmerizing and gave a truly blinding performance. Her first visit to Swindon went down really well with the audience who raved over her magnificent vocals and delightful songs many of which were full of quirky lyrics about life as it is today...Sarah s songs mixed traditional country with a dash of folk resulting in a phenomenal sound." - Maverick Magazine

"Sarah s music is honest, open, and beautiful - it makes an immediate emotional connection with the listener."- Steve Bellamy, Juno-winning Music Producer/Engineer

"a beautiful voice fronting rustic-leaning songs.....the perfect soundtrack to an Appalachian train hopping journey"......- Meeghan Maultsaid, Artistic director, Under the Volcano Festival Vancouver