Sarah Cripps has been working on her music since she was a little girl, and now the Brighton, ON native has taken the next step in her artistic evolution with the release of her self-titled 2018 album. And we want you to hear it live and take it home on CD!

Cripps will be playing tracks from her new album at The Piston (937 Bloor St W., Toronto) on Tuesday, March 6 at a pay-what-you-can show along with Zoe Sky Jordan and Dani Nash. Our new contest will send three (3) people to the show and send them home with a CD copy of Sarah Cripps’ new album to listen to on repeat.

The 10 track record serves to introduce the singer/songwriter back to the world after her 2013 debut album, Change. With a wide range of raw emotions, Cripps has laid herself out for the world to see in a deep, personal, captivating album.

Check out the Q&A we did with Sarah recently about the album, The Dakota Tavern, plans for 2018 and more – and use the widget at the bottom of the post to enter for your chance to be a winner!

Sarah Cripps Q&A

Q. With so many artists releasing shorter EPs lately, how did it feel to be able to present a full 10 song album this year?

SC. I feel very fortunate have had the support of the Ontario Arts Council and FACTOR. This allowed me to express a full range of emotion and release a piece of work that relays the journey that I was on while writing these songs. Diving into and becoming obsessed with a full album is how I find myself listening to music for the most part. It felt right to release the type of album I would listen to myself.

Q. You’ve been writing, performing, and playing from a young age… was there anything that you learned about yourself in those areas when you were putting together this new album?

SC. Ever since I can remember, I knew I wanted to make music my career. I have always felt like there’s nothing else I’d rather do. That motivation as well as having very encouraging parents led me to playing in bars and entertaining crowds from a young age. I always feel like those hours and hours of performing and writing music helped prepare me for making it into a career now. Having an EP and a full album already behind me while approaching this new album, I was able to be a little more decisive and make sure I was creating an album that truly represents who I am as an artist. I continue to grow and learn about myself with each album.

Q. You recorded a great video for Heat at The Dakota Tavern in Toronto, what was it about the venue that made you want to put that together?

SC. It has been and continues to be my favourite venue in Toronto. So intimate, warm and inviting. I was so lucky to be able to go down there and capture that energy in a live video. We also chose to film on the dance floor rather than on the iconic stage. The song Heat is one of the more intimate songs on the record and it felt right to stand where the audiences usually stand and play the song with a grass roots and grounded vibe.

Q. With new music out to start the year, what other plans or goals for 2018 can you share with us?

SC. In 2018 I mostly hope to tour a lot. I’d love to keep growing and promoting this album by hitting the road and performing it alongside other emerging artists. At the same time, I’ll be focusing on writing songs for the next album.

Q. In 50 words or so, can you tell us what do you want fans to experience when they listen to your music?

SC. I think that listening to music is highly subjective. I would never want to tell anyone what they should feel while listening to my music. All I can do is offer true raw emotion and hope it translates. There’s a full range on this album and I’m so ecstatic to hear when it touches anyone on any level. That’s all you can hope for.

Now, use the widget to earn up to nine (9) entries for you chance to win 1 of 3 Sarah Cripps CDs and a spot in the crowd at The Piston on Tuesday, March 6.

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Joshua Murray

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