Sarah Darling is a super talented country singer hailing from Nashville, she recently released her new single 'Wasted' and is about to embark on her 12 date headline tour of the UK.

 

We caught up with her to chat about her new record, baking with Ward Thomas and Marmite, read on to see how we got on.... 

 

We understand you’re friends with Ward Thomas, and recently met up with them to do some baking. Could you please tell us more about your passion for baking and friendship with the country duo?

We have become friends over time of doing shows together, playing muddy festivals, and baking! They are the most kind, down to earth souls and I love being around them. Catherine is an amazing cake baker which I cannot do, and I make French macarons really well. So we have a fun exchange of secret recipes! Lizzy is our moral support and fabulous decorator after we’ve finished our masterpieces. I’m just truly of a fan of their music and who they are! They are beautiful souls:)

 

We last saw you perform in Exeter when you were on tour with Ward Thomas (I think it was October 2016), we caught up briefly after the show and I remember you were very excited about the forthcoming release of your album Dream Country what’s been happening in your world since then?

Since ‘Dream Country’ I’ve been in the studio with an amazing producer, Mark Bright! He’s worked on some of Carrie Underwood’s tracks over the years, and I got a chance to record a few new tunes with him. I cannot tell you how excited I am to get these out into the world. The first release of a song called ‘Wasted’ is happening March 2! It all feels undeniably me.

 

You’re from Des Moines in Iowa originally but have been living in Nashville for some time now, do you think that your music career would be where it is now had you remained in Iowa?

I would probably be writing about corn fields! Only joking of course. The wide open spaces has remained a favorite writing subject even living in Nashville because that was my childhood. I think if I would have stayed I would probably have a sweet life, and I would have found a place to sing somewhere. I knew that I had to move to Nashville to stretch and grow as an artist. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, and has made me who I am today.

 

Tell me 3 great things about living in Nashville?
1. You can hear amazing live music on every street corner!
2. The weather is incredible! I’m staring at sunshine now.
3. Nobody is originally from Nashville so you meet really cool people.

 

I hear that you’ve been writing with Ward Thomas for your new album which is due in 2018, I don’t mean this in a negative way at all but it seems odd that a Nashville artist would reach out to a UK act to write country tunes?

Actually, the girls and I wrote once more for the fun of it a couple months ago when they visited Nashville. Most of the time in a writing session it’s just hanging, creating, and making magic. In our case, eating macarons too! I actually love the idea of merging to forms of the idea of country because it’s not really different at all. It’s all about the story, and I love writing with writers from the UK to get a different perspective.

 

You’ve played at the last two C2C Festivals in London and I see that you are in the UK around the time that the 2018 event is taking place, can we expect to see you there again this year?

C2C is what really kicked off my career in the UK! Let’s just say you could see me there but I can’t confirm or deny it at this point!

 

You’re in the UK in March to play 12 live shows, are there any places that you’re particularly looking forward to playing this time around?

I’m so excited about playing Union Chapel because of how stunning it is. I’m all about singing in beautiful places and experiencing those once in a lifetime acoustics that us singers live for! Also I’ve never been to Brighton and looking forward to that.

 

What do you love most about the UK?

Of course I love the cute accents and marmite. I truly love the connection I have with the UK audience. I feel like people hang on every word of my stories and that makes me feel appreciated. Not to mention the shopping is pretty good too!

 

 

How do the dynamics of a tour change when you’re the headline act instead of the supporting act? 

Performing your songs full band completely let’s the audience hear your songs in their best light. This is the first time I will get the chance to do this in the UK which is really exciting!

 

Did you get any say in who supports you on the tour? If so, how did you go about selecting the lucky person or band for the UK tour?

Yes, absolutely I did. I hand picked some good friends as well as people I really believe in as well. I love letting others shine as bright as they can!

 

You revealed last year that you’ve been working with Mark Bright, the producer responsible for some of the greatest albums by Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire, what would you say you have learnt from your time so far with Mark?

The mark of an amazing producer is when he creates a song based on the artist he’s producing for. I have had some experiences where my voice has been completely buried in a huge track. He let the nuance and lyric shine which is perfect for me as an artist. I’ve learned to trust my instincts from him.

 

Was there ever an occasion where you disagreed with a suggestion he made? 

In the studio we were constantly trying different ways of doing instrumentation. The only change we worked through was how many drums to put in! 

 

What was the last movie you saw? 

I just saw “I Tonya” and Margot Robbie was Brill. I have an obsession with ice-skating.

 

I recall you saying that you run your very own macaron company (was it sweet darling patisserie?) How is the company going and can you PLEASE bring some to the London show so I can sample them?

Yes, I started this sweet little company after my now husband James took me to Paris years ago. I had always baked my whole life, but it was my way of keeping my love story alive through cooking! I now make French macarons for Nashvillians! Plus they are so hard to make that I love the challenge. Check out Sweet Darling Patisserie, and I so with I could transport my macarons to you now! 

 

Your 2017 album Dream Country was funded by a pledge campaign, are you planning something similar for the new album?

As of right now I have a few songs already started and plan on releasing a record later this year. That’s all I can say! 

 

So, a 12 date UK tour, new album on the horizon, what’s next for Sarah Darling?

Finishing a new record of course! I usually record a bunch in Winter for some reason but I’m excited that I’ll be creating in early Spring and Summer. As for me after the tour, I’ll be writing new tunes which is something I truly love.

 

Quickfire Questions

Acoustic or Electric? - Acoustic! 

USA or UK? - Both! ( Too hard to chose because I love you both!)

Camping or Glamping? - Glamping

Beer or Wine? - Wine

Burritos or Tacos? - Tacos

Trump or Obama? - Dolly Parton:)

Recording Studio or Stage? - I love the stage!

Festival or Regular gig? - Festival

God or Google? - God

 

We'd like to thank Sarah for chatting to us and we wish her every success for her tour and forthcoming new record.  

 

You can catch Sarah Darling perform on her UK tour at the following venues;

10/03/2018 Brighton Unitarian Church

12/03/2018 Glasgow Oran Mor

13/03/2018 Gateshead The Sage 2

15/03/2018 Norwich The Waterfront

17/03/2018 Cambridge Unitarian Church

19/03/2018 York Basement

20/03/2018 Manchester Night & Day Café

22/03/2018 Belfast Empire Music Hall

23/03/2018 Dublin The Grand Social

25/03/2018 Liverpool Studio 2

27/03/2018 Bristol The Lantern