Recently featured in the Houston Chronicle and TXT Magazine as an "Artist to watch out for", Sarah's making a name for herself and quite an impression everywhere she goes.
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, Sarah Golden is a young, fresh-faced talent who is making a big impression everywhere she performs. Her uniquely beautiful voice is surprisingly powerful and her tone very expressive, making for a passionate and soulful delivery, and her songwriting style creates lyrics wise beyond her years. Sarah's songs have the depth of Melissa Etheridge, the force of Alanis Morrisette, and the heartfelt energy delivered by Joan Osborne or Amy Ray.
Though similar to those artists mentioned above, her musical interpretations are entirely original. Sarah's style demonstrates a range of emotions that we have all felt at one time or another but possibly have been unable to express. This aspect of her music attracts those experiencing all stages of life.
She has been involved in the Houston music scene for the last three years, playing solo at coffeehouses and festivals, developing a local following and maturing as a performer.
She recently joined Go Girls Music ,an organization which focuses on the promotion of female musicians. She is a member of My Texas Music, an organization furthering Texas musicians, HAAM [Houston Area Acoustic Musicians], and Just Plain Folks, an internet organization advocating and networking musicians nationwide.
Some of her recent accomplishments including performances at the following venues and events: The Houston Women's Festival, FM 90.1 KPFT, Anderson Fair, The Rhythm Room, The Houston Peace Festival, The Art Car Parade, The Next Door Coffeehouse [Songwriter Competition], The Last Concert Cafe, Shakespeare's Coffeehouse, Travis Cafe, Sidecar Pub, Heliotrope, and many others.
July 13, 2005, 2:24PM
Folk singer is Golden
By JOEY GUERRA
Houston Chronicle
Sarah Golden is a folk singer by profession — but she sometimes wishes she wasn't. The native Houstonian performs regularly around town, having gigged at the Houston Women's Festival, the legendary Anderson Fair and the Last Concert Cafe. Golden also performs most Thursdays during open-mic night at Chance's, a popular lesbian bar in Montrose.
Performing seems to come naturally for the young singer, but Golden tries to be more than just another girl with a guitar.
"If I had a choice, I sure as hell wouldn't sing folk music. I listen to rap. I listen to everything," she says. "I love acoustic guitar, but at the same time, it's just what comes out (of me). It's not a huge market. You can't play everywhere."
Golden's accessible, effortless sound is highlighted by insightful biographical lyrics. Truth, her debut disc, was released in 2002. A followup is due later this year, and Golden already has 17 songs completed.
Even so, the alternately hilarious and heartfelt singer still harbors a bling-bling of a dream.
"I've decided I'm going to be the first white folk-rapper. It's going to rock, and I'm going to sell to Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. I'll be in G-Unit or whatever," Golden says, sounding half-serious.
Music and the arts have always been family traditions for Golden. Her mother studied and sang opera, and her father is a photographer. Golden's sister works in theater, and her brother plays in a Cajun/zydeco band based in Louisiana.
She refers to them as "the Partridge Family," and that sense of togetherness has found its way into Golden's blossoming career. Mom even funded the first disc; Golden paid her back, of course.
"I'm lucky to have such a very, very helpful family," Golden says. "Everybody tries to hold everybody together."
Golden records independently at studios around Houston, but she is seeking a major-label deal. There have been close calls during club showcases, but nothing has allowed Golden the artistic control — or the seemingly simple freedom to wear the pants — she demands.
She says label execs have asked her to grow her hair, dress in a more feminine manner or hide her sexuality altogether. It's just not commercially viable, they assure her, for a new female musician to like girls.
The outspoken performer flatly refuses.
"I haven't worn a dress since the eighth grade. I'm not about to go get one. I'm already out in the community. All my writing, everything about it, talks about girls," Golden says.
"(If you're a gay artist), you're supposed to be like Melissa Etheridge and Tracy Chapman, all these people that are real quiet about everything, and then they come out once they're millionaires. We need a young, fresh, strong, open-minded, stubborn person that won't put up with anything."
Until that day comes, Golden peddles her introspective songs and caffeinated conversation to open-minded fans. Of course, that's between day jobs, which have included stints at Starbucks and a guitar store, painting haunted houses and currently serving it up in the world of pizza delivery.
All she asks for is a little show of appreciation — one you may not even be aware of.
"My favorite, favorite thing is if you just tap your toe, because that's a subconscious thing. Nobody thinks about tapping their toe," Golden says. "That's all I need."
