Enjoy the Sultry Sounds of Sarah Renfro
Not only is Sarah Renfro a member of The Loom, an incredible band from Brooklyn, but the former Texan also has a successful solo career.
Since moving to New York in 2006, she has nurtured her vocal and multi-instrumental talents and captivated stages throughout the city. Sarah also released a beautiful six-song EP entitled You Should Be Somewhere Outside in April of this year. The texture of her deep voice is oh so smooth, and she hauntingly delivers her self-crafted lyrics with a vulnerable honesty. Enchanting, melancholy folk tunes like “State of the Union” and “Mabel” are in perfect company with the lighter, lovesick melody of one like “Tanner and Hannah.”
Though there are still lovely twinges of her southern roots lingering in her words and tucked in the guitar riffs, all endearing reminders that make her sound so unique, it is clear that Sarah Renfro has matured into a darker, stronger writer since moving from Denton, TX.
DayBowBow: Track of the Day 9/29/10
Sarah Renfro left our fair community for Brookyln in 2006, but there’s still a little Denton in her. That’s made apparent by two of the songs on her latest EP, You should be somewhere outside. One of those songs, “Denton, my love”, is outwardly whimsical (in a novel style similar to collaborator, and fellow Dentonite-turned-Brooklynite, Corn Mo), but below the surface it expresses a longing for a small, warm town she used to love but grew too big for. She expresses the need to move on to bigger things that many Dentonites feel and eventually act on. But the other, “Little white house”, is my pick from the EP.
Sarah Renfro–Little White House
Verdict: Something felt incredibly familiar about this song, and it took reading Renfro’s bio to pinpoint it–it reminds me of music from the show Twin Peaks. The Rhodes and reverb-heavy guitar mingle together like old lovers and, along with Renfro’s sultry voice, create a beautifully haunting effect. And the violin, flugelhorn and brilliantly layered vocals flesh out the song, keeping it dynamic and fresh.
Sarah Renfro returns to Denton tonight to play at Hailey’s, along with Welcome Signs and Eaton Lake Tonics. Doors are at 9. And if you like what you hear, be sure to purchase the rest of You should be somewhere outside.
“Just imagine: You walk up to the local watering hole to quench your thirst. The bar is dark with a laid back ambiance, the room is abuzz with students from the nearby college, and a lone woman walks to the stage. She begins to play her instrument of choice and starts singing into the microphone. The entire bar is now silently watching the young woman sing, giving everything she can muster with the poise of a seasoned performer.
That is exactly what happened when Brooklyn-based — and former Denton musician — Sarah Renfro last performed at Dan’s Silverleaf. The whole room had their eyes on her. She commanded everyone’s attention with her music and her low, smooth voice, and from start to finish she had every person in the venue hanging on to every note and every word.” – Jessica Harp (Pegasus News)
Interview at MyDentonMusic.com
“After our interview was over I got a chance to hear the entire album, and it is fantastic from start to finish. “Mabel” sounds as good as it ever has and the changeup Sarah throws in there with “Denton, My Love” and “Tanner and Hannah” give the EP a breath of fresh air. Even though she spent most of her time perfecting other areas of the album, the thing that stands out the most is her incredible voice. And no matter how good Sarah gets at recording or engineering, it is that voice which is her most valuable tool. Overall it is a good quality album delivered by an outstanding artist, what more could you ask for?” – Josh Hogan (My Denton Music)
Quotes
“Imagine a folky, more upbeat Cat Power, as comfortable with irony-tinged western waltzes as with the sincerest of ballads.” – BAM café Live
“Her show is not to be missed.” – NBC D/FW
“Sarah Renfro’s voice sounds like an angel dripping with sin.” – Gezellig (Dallas, TX)
“That’s some music that people on a very high level will be impressed with.” – Bernard Wright (Miles Davis, Marcus Miller)
“Sarah Renfro is a phenomenon in and of herself. The honesty and directness with which Sarah delivers melodies and lyrics cannot be overstated; she is music in its purest form. Sarah is, quite simply, one of the only people on earth that I would feel honored to play with every night for the rest of my life.” – Michael League (Snarky Puppy)
“I was entranced by Sarah’s near perfect voice and ability to span genres… sounded fantastic… vocals adding that next dimension.” – Jay B. Stevens (Pegusus News)
“Sarah Renfro is the cutest thing I ever did see. I consider myself a proud member of her groupie army and would show her my tits should she ever ask. She is just that awes.” – Katie O’Rear (Street Team, Roller Derby Hottie)
Review by photographer Elizabeth Padilla
