SARAH CLANTON
Cellobrate the unexpected
Sarah Clanton is a remarkable Nashville-based artist, a trailblazer in her own right, who fearlessly combines classical cello finesse with indie folk-pop ingenuity. A multi-talented singer-songwriter, cellist, and professional mermaid, Sarah's creative journey is an enchanting story of innovation, artistry, and advocacy.
At the heart of Sarah's musical odyssey is her deep connection to the cello, an instrument she's played since the age of nine. Growing up in a conservative Southern Baptist household, and as a classically trained cellist, it wasn’t until she discovered the vibrant open mic scene in Greenville, South Carolina that her world really started to expand in the direction of her dreams.
Sarah's artistic journey took a transformative turn at Bonnaroo in 2008, where she witnessed Ben Sollee playing the cello in ways she had never imagined. This moment sparked a realization: she could sing and play the cello simultaneously, a concept that would define her unique musical path.
Eager to refine her skills, Sarah attended The Swannanoa Gathering, a folk music and songwriting workshop in North Carolina, where she learned to strum chords on the cello while honing her songwriting craft. Soon after, she embarked on a relentless touring schedule, performing at bars, weddings, and anywhere her music could touch hearts.
Sarah's music defies easy categorization, blending elements of indie folk, pop, and classical into a genre-defying sound that's all her own. Her captivating melodies resonate deep within the listener, evoking emotions and painting vivid landscapes with each note.
One of the most striking facets of Sarah's artistic journey is her dedication to advocating for artists' rights. In 2018, she founded Tunedough®, a company designed to simplify the complex world of royalties for musicians. Drawing from her extensive industry experience, Sarah developed a self-guided course within Tunedough® to educate artists about available royalties and how to navigate the process with confidence. Her mission is clear: to empower musicians to collect their hard-earned earnings and establish sustainable income streams.
As a performer, Sarah is a storyteller at heart. Her lyrics delve into themes of self-discovery, mindfulness, and unity. Each song is a heartfelt narrative, inviting listeners to explore their own emotions and experiences. Whether she's performing solo with her cello or sharing the stage with talented musicians, Sarah's live shows are an immersive experience, leaving audiences moved and inspired.
Beyond her musical endeavors, Sarah is also a mermaid, adding a touch of enchantment to events. Her commitment to bringing joy and whimsy into the lives of others is a testament to her vibrant spirit and love for the extraordinary.
Sarah's journey is a testament to the power of following one's passion and embracing the unknown. Her commitment to authenticity, creativity, and supporting fellow artists through Tunedough® serves as an inspiration to musicians and dreamers alike.
In the ever-evolving world of music, Sarah Clanton stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience, a true artist who continually pushes boundaries and encourages others to embrace their unique paths.
“Here We Are contains eleven of the most stylishly produced pop songs I’ve ever heard in my life, and unlike her closest contemporaries’ output it contains absolutely zero filler... There’s no need for any debate; Sarah Clanton is the most exciting artist in all of pop music right now, and Here We Are sees her arriving at the primetime stage ready to lead a new generation of music fans into the future”
“She’s got the charisma of a mainstream pop singer plus all of the authenticity of an underground rebel, which isn’t exactly a combination that you find every day in this business.”
“Sarah Clanton, the American south’s up and coming pop singing superstar, has never had a problem when it comes to imparting her most sacred feelings unto her fans, but in her brand new album Here We Are she takes her vulnerable style of writing to the next level and yields an intimately moving album that can sit beside pop’s greatest recordings... The string arrangements are nimbly delivered with virtuosity and grandiose charm, but they in no way outshine Clanton’s vocal performance – which on its own could bring even the most discriminating and hard nosed of music fans to their very knees. I wasn’t surprised to find either of these in Here We Are, but then again I’ve come to anticipate nothing less than elegant perfection when it comes to this artist’s body of work.”
“Artists of Sarah Clanton’s caliber come around only once in a generation, and if we don’t give her music the platform that it truly deserves we could be robbing ourselves of the opportunity to experience of our era’s most gifted performers... Driven by a featherweight vocal from Clanton that weaves around a surprisingly visceral guitar riff and jazzy percussion, “I Can See You” actually took my breath away the first time I listened to it. It’s essentially a perfect amalgamation of Clanton’s southern-style sway and the intricately wound, classically inspired arrangements that she’s becoming famous for. I don’t normally say this, but this song alone makes Here We Are a more than worthy purchase for any pop music fan. I think if she cuts this track as the leadoff single for this record, she could seriously be looking at a Grammy nomination.”
“Sarah’s star burns so bright that not even the darkest of shadows could smother its flame, and in her brand new record Here We Are, she dishes out some of her most searing songs for us to enjoy in high definition... Clanton has a number of live shows coming up this fall that will likely sell out very quickly after the release of Here We Are, so if I were you I’d do my best to secure a chance to see her play this set live while it’s still fresh and new to the world.”
“In the last three years or so, Clanton has risen out of relative obscurity to become one of the biggest names in indie pop from one end of the United State to the other. Her infused style of classical and pop (that is led by the gravity of her intense cello play) is changing the game, and her latest record Here We Are is easily her finest hour yet... There are danceable grooves met with deeply emotional moments of contemplation, and just when we think she’s run out of ideas she throws another layer of hypnotizing smoke in our direction, leaving us a combination of dazed and awe-inspired. Even if you’re not the biggest pop fan in the world, you’re going to want to give this album a spin – it transcends any barriers that genre categorization could place around it.”
“Sarah Clanton is my go-to cellist when I need a player who can think outside-the-box.”
“Sarah Clanton is one of the most unique and intriguing artists and songwriters in the Nashville scene these days. Her wit and whimsical charm shine through in the various styles she employs, and her instrument-of-choice being a cello certainly helps her stand out from the pack.”
“Armed with a voice as big and powerful as her cello, SC commands the stage. I’m truly inspired by her infectious songs and engaging performance.”
“The idea of going to see someone play the cello might conjure thoughts of a stuffy classical recital, but a performance by Sarah Clanton is anything but formal.”
“Sarah is full of surprises. Her demeanor is demure, her music is dark-edged with a satirical bite. She has imagination, bravado, and the technical chops to turn you into a believer.”