Listen to C Train by Sarah White HERE

“I’ve learned you have to know what you want. If you don’t, you will never get it.” -Sarah White

Interview and photos by Rebecca McDonald of B FRESH Photography and Media

(Short version originally published on citypages.com)

Sarah White in the studio

You might remember her as one of the first female lyricists putting it down in the Twin Cities Hip Hop scene, working with the likes of Black Blondie, Kanser, and countless other artists and groups. Sarah White is a mother, singer, emcee, photographer, writer, blogstress and wifey with a keen sense for social networking, marketing and design. After living in the Twin Cities for most of her life, she and her family decided to move to Brooklyn several years ago, to continue feeding their already-thriving music and artistic careers. White’s current fusion sound mixes up a bit of soul, hiphop, triphop, nujazz, rock and even folk. The streets of New York inspire her to stay on her game more than ever, and she has a brag list to prove it. City Pages took the C train to Brooklyn to see what she has been up to since relocating, and caught a behind the scenes glimpse of her recording in the studio with Rico/Dj Don Cuco.

B FRESH: I know of your work in many different facets, so you know I have to ask: What do you do? How do you describe yourself?

Sarah White: I am a mother, singer, emcee, photographer, writer, blogstress and wifey with a been itch for social networking, marketing and design.

BF: I’m curious, what did you want to be when you were little?

SW: First an obstetrician. Like Bill Cosby played on the Cosby Show. Then a movie star. Then a singer.

BF: Of course, a singer! And what inspires you?

SW: People around me doing what the love to the fullest with no regrets. My people in Minneap still holding it down inspire me with their creativity and dedication (like RSE, I cant believe the EMPIRE they have created and how much it impacts the scene even in NYC). The people in Brooklyn inspire me to always try harder. There seems to always be someone down the block doing what I do but tighter. Keeps you on your game! The community out here really works togther though, which inspires me for the things we can build for the future.

BF: For those that aren’t familiar with your work in the Twin Cities, tell us some folks you worked with?

SW: I’ve worked in [the group] Kanser, I was a member of Traditional Methods, Black Blondie (I started that shit with Sam- it was her and I in the beginning), Desdamona, I Self Divine, M.anifest, Kelsey Crawford, Booka B, Pee Wee Dread, Dj Don Cuco aka Rico Simon Mendez, Maria Isa, Felipe, Ike, Andy Gillespie, and so many more. I performed with tons of others, and Jon Jon helped alot with booking and promotion.

BF: What are some bragging points while living in the Twin Cities?

SW:   I felt like I came into the music scene at the perfect time to help put Minneap on the map. First, with Traditional Methods we played and opened for great acts like Fishbone, Lyrics Born, Camplo, Atmosphere, Sage Francis, etc playing everything from political rallies to straight up hip-hop shows in Dinkytown.  Then, as Black Blondie got off to a great start,  we opened for some big names like Jill Scott, Amy Winehouse, The Coup, The Roots, Alice Smith, the list goes on. We were nominated for the MN Music Awards, took second place for best band for City Pages in 2007?2006?, and even landed a spot in the Black Lily Music Festival in Philly. In the beggining of my solo career,  I opened for K-OS and ?ueslove thanks to Jon Jon at Foundation before it closed down. I also helped to curate the first and second B-Girl Be festival.

BF: After moving to Brooklyn, how was it adjusting to NY after living in the Twin Cities for so long? 26 years, right?

SW: Yes, easier than I expected. Brooklyn is really inviting and I met amazing people right away, that made me feel home. The rats and “waterbugs” were the hardest part to swallow.

BF: What have you been up to since you left the Twin Cities for Brooklyn?

SW: So much. I have been releasing music, working on new projects, networking, building, dreaming… and trying to keep a balance with the family life in BK. When we first moved to Brooklyn, I hit the ground running and basically jumped right into the scene with music and photography. There was so much new to see, so many people to build with and learn from… I felt unstoppable, but exhausted!

BF: Who have you work with since living in New York?

SW: I’ve been working with Rico/Dj Don Cuco, Dhundee, Arch_typ, JTodd, Yellowtail, Busy, Altered Natives, M.anifest, Nicholas Ryan Grant, Kiva, Daru Jones, Imani Uzuri, Matt Shadtek, Kassiano, Rucyl, Andrew Edward Brown, Hadyn & more and I have performed with Ursula Rucker, EricRico, Eagle Nebula, Imani Uzuri, King Britt, Afta-1, RasG, Taylor McFerrin, Bobbito, Waajeed, TK Wonder, Jose James, Dj Moni, Rep Life, The Beatards, Caitlin Meissner, and so many more.

BF: What are some bragging points while living in Brooklyn?

SW: I released my solo EP, Hiding Blind in 2008 with distribution by Bagpak Records. That release was a very grassroots recording, most of it in my studio in Minneapolis and bedroom studio in NYC. I was also on a CD compilation by Dj Moni released by Toy Factory, and in Luire Mag in stores in Japan and online. That compilation featured one song by me, and other artist like Waajeed, Bilal, Little Dragon, Zaki Ibrahim, Dhundee, Coultrain, etc. We also have had tracks released in Italy, UK, Paris and music for sale in shops in Barcelona. I have been blessed to get a lot of press love, being featured in Luire Magazine in Japan, Parlour & Clutch Magazine, and tons of other online music sites and blogs. It has really helped to get the word out.  I released a single (I WANNA BE WITH YOU Original and Rucyl remix) on King Britt’s label (FIVESIXMEDIA) in 2009 and they have been getting international play on dance floors.  Rico and I have been a part of Saturn Never Sleeps (curated by King Britt and Rucyl Mills - http://saturnneversleeps.com/about) which brought me back to Philly to play.  I also was honored to be a part of Imani Uzuri’s “A Black Girls Rock Opera” singing with her and other amazing musicians at the Apollo in 2008. The biggest thing so far, was winning the Scion Electronic Vocalist Competition, playing the “Friends We Love” Music Festival and being on stage with Muhsinah @ the Sonar Festival in Barcelona.

BF: Tell us more about winning the Scion Electronic Vocalist Competition, and what you did.

SW: First off, I have to give love to C-Rocka for pushing me to enter it. I’m not one for competitions, but I figured, what the ^&%$ do I have to loose? Basically, they started out with tons of singers and narrowed it down to 30. I had to write 3 original songs in 1 week, and perform them live with no effects, on camera and in front of industry judges, and be the best. Lucky for me, I won : ) I got a fat check (which bought Rico and I tickets to Barcelona for a month), recording equipment and a trip to Cali to record a track for a Scion AV Compilation. It drops next month. It was a huge blessing.

BF: What lessons have you learned since living in Brooklyn?

SW: I’ve learned you have to know what you want. If you don’t, you will never get it.  Also, I’ve learned how to network my ass off. Its a business, really.

BF: How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved since living in Minneapolis?

SW: I’ve have have difficulty describing my sound because its a fusion of so many, but people have called it soul, hiphop, triphop, nujazz, rock and even folk. I feel like since I moved to NY I have done more experimenting and genre-pushing, so Ive branched into more house, harder rock, grimier hiphop (is that a word?) and more soulful melodies. Just kind of turned it up a notch.

BF: Are there any places you frequent, or things that you do when you are missing the Twin Cities?

SW: Yes. That happens very often lately. I have found a few spots ran by Minneapolis people out in NYC, so I go eat there to get that Midwest vibe when I need it most. When I’m missing the music scene, I stalk everyone’s Myspace pages and videos, in complete shock at how dope everyone looks in Minneap. I still think musicians in Minneap are far more experimental and emotional than most cities. They push the art in the music and I love it. Miss it. So.. I google it.

BF: What can’t you live without from the Twin Cities?

SW: The wedge, Tao Foods, Bryant Lake Bowl’s granola pancakes and egg sandwich with veggie sausage, Origami Sushi, Drea and Emerson, My family!!!, Lava Lounge, Smitten Kitten, block parties, backyards and discounted shopping. I’m drooling right now…

BF: What are your plans for 2010? Any new projects? What should we expect from Sarah White?

SW: Everyday I’m hustin’. Expect to see more music! I will be releasing an EP from my new acoustic project, Via Barcelona, along with my full length album, coming soon. Also watch out for the project with M.anifest (S & M) which I’m recording as we speak, and a few singles/remixes. I am also excited to dive back into Hip Hop and getting back on my flows in 2010.

BF: If you could work with anyone in the industry right now, who would it be, and why?

SW: Wow! So many people. I guess I would love to do a track with Yukimi from Little Dragon. I love that band! They remind me of Minneapolis but turned up 100 notches. I would also love to work with the BLK JKS– they blow me away.

BF: Anything else you would like to say? Any shoutouts?

SW: Thanks to B FRESH for being so FRESH. Also check me out on Wronglips & Twitter! Shoutouts to Interlock, the Southside, White-Mendez-Johnson-Hughes Fam, and all my people in NY & Philly that keep inspiring me day to day! Thanks to Bagpak, SNS and my boo Rico!

For more information, please visit:

sarahwhite.bandcamp.com

www.mysarahwhite.com

wronglips.blogspot.com

fotosforbarcelona.blogspot.com