Powerful performance and an independent style characterize the music of Virginia’s own Sarah White & the Pearls.
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Sarah’s music kills me; beautifully from the ground up, no plastic.
— Dave Matthews
Born and raised in the two Virginias, Sarah White grew up with a love for rock and roll radio, dusty LP records, and the country music her father played on guitar. Her strong roots rock and country music influences are grounded in punk instincts, inviting comparisons to a wide spectrum of artists from Hazel Dickens and Chan Marshall to Kathleen Edwards and Jeff Tweedy.
the music
Performing as a solo artist and as a duo with guitarist Ted Pitney, Sarah has supported a variety of luminaries from Earl Scruggs and Justin Townes Earle to Merle Haggard and Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham).
While White’s choked-up, wistful vocals pack more of an emotional punch than that of most songwriters—Case included—White distinguishes herself by serving a heap of good humor along with everything you could want from the singer-songwriter persona, usually a far more somber business.
– Andrew Cedermark, Cville
Her band the Pearls features Ted Pitney formerly of bluegrass stalwarts King Wilkie on guitar, punk rock legend Michael Bishop of GWAR and Kepone on bass, and Stuart Gunter of roots rock faves Wrinkle Neck Mules on drums. Together this unlikely lineup helps draw out the force of rock and soul of country in Sarah’s “gorgeous, catchy and ultimately moving songs (Richmond Times-Dispatch).”
what’s new
In June the Pearls join the Dave Matthews Band Caravan in Atlantic City and in July they roll down to FloydFestX to play in the Under The Radar concert series. This fall Sarah appears in an independent film My Fool Heart starring Jim Waive, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Merle Haggard, Jim Lauderdale and many more.
A new Sarah White & the Pearls record is underway for 2011.
