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Freedom

Sarah Sadler — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:02:12 -0000

6. Freedom (song-by-song)

Committment: to pledge or engage oneself; to entrust, especially for safekeeping; to bind or obligate.

vs.

Freedom: the absence of or release from ties, obligations; the power to determine action without restraint; exemption from interference.

Can you have both committment and freedom at the same time? And what about committment makes freedom all the more wanted? Is it committment to the wrong thing that makes the contrast so obvious?

I feel as though true love (the selfless kind) leaves no want for freedom outside of your relationship ... I believe freedom is found in love.

When I wrote this song, it occured to me that some friends of mine had been engaged for a number of years, after a series of break-ups and a long calendar list of scratched-out wedding dates. They wanted to have their wedding cake and eat it too - each of them wanted freedom from the other, but both were trying (unsuccessfully) to committ... not possible if whatever you consider "freedom" to be is the opposite direction of where your committment is.

After another year or so of this back and forth game, they eventually parted ways - the bridge sums up how things were left between them:

I thought that I could change you, but I can't

I thought you'd see it my way, but you don't

And you won't

If it's freedom you find yourself committed to, you'll probably find it's a lonely companion ...

As Leo Buscaglia said, "A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself -- to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart."

Old Habits

Sarah Sadler — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:01:37 -0000

5. Old Habits (song-by-song)

"Habits are like a comfortable bed; easy to get into, but hard to get out of."

I believe there are some things we never move on from. For me, some of life's most important lessons have been learned in giving up the things I want, but aren't meant to be mine. Most of our habits are just so familiar that we don't even know they are habits until we say goodbye - then we realize how much we relied on them.

Writing "Old Habits" reminded me of all the things I've wanted along the way and how different I would be had I not given some of them up. I think about dreams that we get in the habit of chasing, relationships we're in the habit of staying in and emotions we're in the habit of feeling; all of these things very personal.

Old Habits
Well, they get me every time
And leave me feeling hopelessly denied, I tried
Old Habits
Well, they sneak up from behind
I have to just pretend
Pretend and close my eyes

I heard once that the only way to combat one habit is with another that rids you of the first. I guess we pick our poisons...

Dedicated

Sarah Sadler — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:53:02 -0000

4. Dedicated (song-by-song)

"Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need to know of hell." - Emily Dickinson
When we wrote "Dedicated," I kept remembering that feeling of being on the road for weeks at a time, missing everyone I love so dearly and feeling like those bus wheels couldn't go fast enough down the home-stretch to get me back to them.

This is dedicated to the one I love
Baby, you're the only one I'm thinking of
Gotta' get here soon
I'm missin' you tonight
And then leaving again - always hurts. The words to "Every Time You Go Away" probably sum that feeling up best; "every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you..."

We lose something when we love; ourselves. That’s what that “tug” at your heart is when you aren’t with the one you want to be with – you’ve given them an attached piece of you and the absence is almost unbearable. If you’re like me though, you wouldn’t have it any other way…

So near, so far and yet
We always manage to connect
This energy, this you and me
Tonight

Right now, I have a free download of “Dedicated” on my MySpace and Facebook pages for you to download and dedicate to the one that you love…

FREE song download this week only!

Sarah Sadler — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:58:52 -0000

Hey Friends...

Just wanted to let you know that this week I'm offering a FREE download of "Dedicated" through the Bandbox player on my MySpace page! Come get your free copy and send your friends over, too (www.myspace.com/sarahsadlermusic) while it's available (through next Thursday).

As always, I so appreciate all of the wonderful feedback from you!

If you can make it out to any upcoming shows, here they are:

TONIGHT - September 4 at 12th & Porter - 8PM - $5 cover (18+)
September 10 - Next BIG Nashville - 9:45 - Lot 7
October 5 - 12th & Porter - 7:00 PM

Now go download "Dedicated"!

Love,

Sarah Sadler

"Where It Started" REVIEW - Sept./Oct. issue of CM Magazine

Sarah Sadler — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:32:05 -0000

Where It Started
Sarah Sadler
Audioluxe Records
www.cdbaby.com
Reviewed by: Shawn McLaughlin for Christian Musician Magazine- September/October issue

Those who remember Sadler's self-titled, debut album from 2002 will barely recognize the artist on her long-time-coming follow-up, Where It Started, an appropriate title for a disc that represents a much truer picture of Sadler's artistry than her past work does. While this extremely engaging work is, largely, a testament to Sadler's talent for penning vulnerable, highly listenable 3-minute pop songs, one has to recognize her co-partner in this endeavor: Gary Sadler, whose name should be familiar from writing credits such as "Ancient of Days" and "Be Unto Your Name" among others, produces, co-writes and plays nearly every instrument on his daughter's disc, and does so with considerable skill and restraint, never overshadowing Sarah's vision for the project. With a sound that owes equally to pop, folk and country, its Sadler's way with a hook that makes her songs worth more than just an obligatory listen. "Get Yourself Together" and "Unspoken" are pop gems that would make Leigh Nash green with envy, full of rich harmonies and inviting arrangements with warm acoustic tones and very light electronic touches. Dad Sadler (Dadler?) manages to wring some wonderfully rich tones from slide guitars and treated electrics that bear resemblance to Aimee Mann's work circa "Lost in Space". One slight criticism: The production is, sometimes, so controlled as to seem almost hermetical in nature. A little breathing space may be in order. It seems that a few well conceived outside contributions might enhance future work, but judging from Where It Started, the journey will be rewarding no matter who goes along for the ride. Here's hoping you, dear listener, decide to jump aboard.

NEWS: Sarah Sadler at Target.com!

Sarah Sadler — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:20:26 -0000

SARAH SADLER'S NEW RELEASE

WHERE IT STARTED NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH TARGET ONLINE

AND DISTRIBUTED THROUGH AMAZON.COM

SARAH SADLER FEATURED ON CMT.COM AND FIRST SINGLE "DEDICATED"

FEATURED ON MUSIC CHOICE NETWORK

Nashville, TENN. - August 26, 2008 - Where It Started, the sophomore release from singer/songwriter Sarah Sadler is now available through major online retail stores Target.com, Amazon.com, iTunes and the popular online record store CDBaby. As part of a growing online presence from various media outlets, Country Music Television recently added Sarah to their artist database on CMT.com.

In addition to worldwide distributor Super D distributing the record, Where It Started is featured for Mp3 download on Rhapsody, Napster, Verizon, PayPlay, Inprodicon, GreatIndieMusic, Tradebit, GroupieTunes, Lala and Didiom.

"Dedicated," the first single from Where It Started, has been added to Music Choice, a leading multi-platform music network that reaches millions of consumers through television, online and cell phone outlets.

As part of the third annual "Next BIG Nashville 2008," running September 10-14, Sarah has been selected to perform as the Nashville based event showcases local and international acts to over 9,000 fans. For more information on Next BIG Nashville, visit www.nextbignashville.net

Upcoming shows:

Thursday, September 4th

12th & Porter

114 12th Ave. North

Nashville, TN 37203

Wednesday, September 10th

Next BIG Nashville 2008

12th & Porter

114 12th Ave. North

Nashville, TN 37203

Runaway

Sarah Sadler — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:31:37 -0000

3.) Runaway (song-by-song)

"Loving can cost a lot, but not loving always costs more, and those who fear to love often find that want of love is an emptiness that robs the joy from life.” - Merle Shain

Runaway is a bit of a prodigal-love song. We've all heard that “those who love you the most will hurt you the most” - all because of vulnerability ... trust. But what if you won't allow vulnerability?

I don't know what to do with you
He loves you and you're such a fool for burning him
Who knows why you play the game
Do you know how to lose yourself to anyone?

James Arthur Baldwin wrote, “Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and we know we cannot live within.” There is a constant theme of vulnerability in lasting relationships – there’s also a lack of pride accompanied by a side dish of intense humility.

I thought you knew enough by now
To know you can’t blame him like you blame everyone
When you’ve made a mess of things
He’s the one who dries your tears and saves your face

I hope you don’t get hurt. But if you do … it’s because you were brave enough to let someone love you.

Pedaling Backwards

Sarah Sadler — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:19:40 -0000

Pedaling Backwards
2.) Pedaling Backwards (song-by-song)

We all want to go back sometimes; to take back something we've said, undo something we've done or act on something we should have. Those moments where you've lost something; an opportunity, a moment, love ... are easily re-played in our minds over and over; taunting us to the land of unknown where "maybe" or "what if" can drive you wild and keep you from moving forward.

Sometimes though... we shouldn't move forward until we've learned the lesson. Anyone that's ever ridden a bike knows that pedaling backwards is somewhat of a futile attempt at motion - still, we try anyway.

I'm pedaling backwards

to find the trouble where it started

and maybe if it all works right

I'll find you

See you

Meet you

pedaling backwards

"Pedaling Backwards" is about re-playing every possible scenario in your mind where you lost what you had with someone. You want to fix it, but first, you need to know where it broke.

I don't think it was your fault

But I don't know

It had to be so perfect here

But perfect was when you were near

And I feel I'm losing you again, again, again

Not all that's broken can be fixed. Not all that's lost is worth finding. Then again... what if it is?

Get Yourself Together

Sarah Sadler — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:36:32 -0000

1. Get Yourself Together (song-by-song)

Lolly-gagging: waiting for the sky to fall or for some epiphany (I made that definition up). Anyway, I did my fair share of wondering aimlessly in between making records because I wasn't sure where to start (get it... "Where It Started"?)

When we were writing "Get Yourself Together," I had the audacity to pretend the lyric was about a girl who, just as the song describes, needs to pull it together.

You let yourself off easy
You never pay the price
And now you're facing it eye-to-eye
You're a lost cause
You're a big mess
Tearing at the seams
And you wear your guilt like a dress

It didn't take long for me to realize that I'd been writing to myself - I was the girl that needed to get it together.

You've got to get yourself together
See me, see you
Lookin' in the mirror
And it's alright, if you just try
Hey, it's high time
Get Yourself Together

I still feel a self-smack of reality when I hear those words - me talking to me. "Get Yourself Together" is very much my theme song - my coming to terms with things I know I need to monitor and stepping back to take a big picture snapshot every now and then (more "now" than "then") ... making sure I'm still on track ... making sure I'm keeping myself together.

This song was just the beginning of self-discovery for me - learning what I'm capable of; that I can push myself harder than I do, that I should require more of myself than anyone else does... Where It Started has a lot of vulnerable ah-ha moments I had about life and love, but "Get Yourself Together" started it off. And I'm still not all the way there, but I think it's the trying that makes you better.

love,
sarah

What happened to Snocap? Bandbox.

Sarah Sadler — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:48:37 -0000

What happened to Snocap, you ask? Well... it's my pleasure to introduce you to Bandbox - the newest thing around for artists and fans alike. For those of you that truly want to support independent and emerging artists (like myself), Bandbox is the way to go! The artist keeps 100% of the sales (I know! Amazing!) and its super user friendly and fun (try it out!). Go to my MySpace page www.myspace.com/sarahsadlermusic to experience it's wonders.

I'm honored to be among the first 15 artists (others are Jewel, Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood) to be included in the Bandbox launch.

I will be posting featured tracks that you can ONLY get on Bandbox (i.e.: acoustic versions of songs from Where It Started) and check back often for an occasional freebie (that's my way of loving you back).

My first song-by-song will post this weekend....

love,

sarah

Starting Something New...

Sarah Sadler — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:02:29 -0000

I've been really terrible about blogging. First of all, I'm not sure it's actually a word. Secondly, and probably most importantly, it requires that I commit to sitting still for multiple minutes...

HOWEVER, I'm going to ease myself in by blogging a "song-by-song" on a regular basis (hopefully every week or so). I've had a lot of people ask me what certain songs from the new record are about and if I could expound on them, so this will be a good way to answer some questions and hopefully get in the habit of blogging.

So consider THIS posting a heads-up of future "blogs."

love, sarah