Brighton, Ontario based singer songwriter Sarah Cripps is not related to celebrated Canadian roots/country musician and producer Colin Cripps, though they share a last name and play in a similar genre.
“I’ve actually never met anyone with my last name. And I’ve never met him which is strange as we play in the same genre,” said Sarah Cripps, who comes to the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Feb. 16 in support of her debut full-length CD “Change.”
She is just beginning the tour for her new CD, which was just released, Feb. 4.
“The first show was in my hometown in Brighton and it was completely sold out. It was nuts,” she enthused.
The 21-year-old- musician has been performing since she was nine and in bars like Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern since she was 13.
“I’ve been across this country three times already. This tour is my fourth,” she said.
She got a lot of help from a lot of people along the way.
Cripps is pleased about the direction her career is heading.
“I’ve got a great team behind me now,” she said.
That lead to co-writing and even a chance to open for him at the Horseshoe.
Unfortunately she had to stay in the green room back stage until she was playing and her dad was there to pick her up right after. But in the meantime, staff were always on hand to make sure she had everything she needed.
“That was a pretty cool experience,” she said.
“He was really supportive of me. He’s an east coast boy, and their culture means they just love to be surrounded by music,” she observed.
“It was a fun time for me. He’s such a big sweetheart,” she enthused.
She is very proud of her new CD.
“It’s been going well. I’m selling lots off the stage. I love it. It’s a really fun record, and it’s my first full length record,” she said adding she has been working on it for a year.
“ I think it turned out for the best,” she said.
She has a powerful voice reminiscent of Kathleen Edwards, Shaye ( Kim Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean) and a touch of Alannah Myles.
“ I heard some of Kathleen Edwards new album, so I can see that, but I haven’t listened to her a lot. But I listen to everything from the Black Keys to Frank Ocean,” she said
“ I grew up listening to Sarah McLachlan, like everyone else though,” she said.
She co-wrote most of the songs with long time guitarist Chad Walsh who has been playing with her for the past seven years. She, Walsh and drummer Goerz are playing this tour.
“I’ve been playing with Chad for years, but we just met Frank earlier this year,” she said adding the nature of the show depends on the venue and the audience.
“We play the music from the CD and a couple of covers like Fleetwood Mac. It’s going to be a really fun, upbeat show,” she said.
