Sarah Mac Band profile picture

Sarah Mac Band

About Me


You say you want a Revolution.


How about A Single Revolution?


It's coming. So you better get ready.


March 2009.


Click cover to purchase on iTunes!



See LIVE SMB videos here:
SMB YouTube Page


About the Sarah Mac Band
The Sarah Mac Band established their musical collective out of long existing friendships - friendships which are amazingly unique and span generations. The trio started in early 2005 with the goal to create original music blending the unique styles that Sarah Mac, Claire and Charlie each brought to the group. What emerged was an engaging combination of blues, jazz, folk and acoustic rock that has been classified as both Americana and Alternative.
Sarah Mac's voice at times has the full power and grit of Janis Joplin, the sweet, soothing breathy tone of Feist or Edie Brickell, and at times the soul-shaking raw tones of an old soul or gospel singer. Paired with Charlie’s intricate guitar work and Claire’s solid, intriguing bass lines, this trio will leave you wanting to hear more.
The band, based out of Tallahassee, FL, has spent the last few years playing well over 100 shows throughout the South and crafting a live show that brings a raw energy that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. These shows have been well received by both fans and critics alike. The band has released 2 EPs and one full length CD with favorable reviews and ever increasing sales. The band is currently starting a new project featuring a series of single releases throughout 2009. Meanwhile, the band continues to tour and write new music as they build a growing fan base.
Sarah Mac:
Sarah adds vocals to the band, as well as playing the guitar and piano. It was widely thought that she was an intuitive, natural musician until her recent acquisition of an accordian, which she has been unable to learn how to play so far (much to the relief of her band members). She has formal training in the mental health field and is the team leader in the quest for healthy band member relationships and emotional wholeness.
Charlie:
Charlie, the oldest member of the Sarah Mac Band, lost his passport, which prevented the Sarah Mac Band from coheadlining U2's last world tour. He complains that his life is ruled by women-- Sarah and Claire in the context of the band, and his amazing wife Jaye, otherwise. He finds solace in practicing the guitar, which he has only been playing now for two weeks, and still finds the strength to ever remain "your hero and mine."
Claire:
Claire is the business and the brains behind the Sarah Mac Band franchise, sending out detailed weekly schedules to everyone first thing on Monday mornings to keep them all on track. She suffers from insomnia, which makes her the official driver for travel after late night gigs. She has years of formal training in piano and guitar, and then dabbled in hand percussion before deciding to learn to play the bass to fill out the SMB rhythm section.
"Eclectic and ultra-catchy" - Paste Magazine
"A true Florida treasure.." - Tampa News Weekly
"This trio serves up an impossible to categorize, but easy to listen blend of styles that is refreshing and honest. The combination of exceptional vocal lines, intricate guitar work and funk-influenced bass lines converge into music that has to be heard to be believed." -Mike McHargue, President, Pixel Records
"… (the) vocals of Sarah McElhaney go far beyond American-Idol worthy and contribute beautifully to the band's soothing, laid-back sound." -Kristen Ruggeri, Tallahassee Democrat
“Through the sultry vocals of (Sarah) Mac as well as the intricate guitar work by Vanture, Awakening definitely helps to awaken the senses. Yet, staying true to its non-pigeon hole ideals, the album seems to reflect the various stages of life.” –FSView (FSU Newspaper)
“A stormer of an album. Awakening should be a definite purchase for those who appreciate truly original and heartfelt music.” –The Feminist Review

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 29/11/2005
Band Website: www.sarahmacband.com
Band Members:
Sarah Mac (lead vocals, guitar, piano, accordion, banjo),
Charlie Vanture (lead guitar, backing vocals),
Claire Swindell (bass guitar, backing vocals)
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View the sarah mac band's EPK



Booking Contact: Claire Swindell [email protected] (850) 224-7758
Influences: Guster, Rilo Kiley, Janis Joplin, Edie Brickell, tons of others.....
Sounds Like: Bluesy, jazzy, rock with a healthy dose of soul.
Record Label: Pixel Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

VIDEO: "Something Beautiful" Interview (short edition)

Sarah Mac and Justin Barfield (co-writer of "Something Beautiful," ex-SMB percussionist, and current guitar/mandolin/banjo/egg shaker player for Maida Vale) talking about the formation o...
Posted by on Fri, 29 May 2009 12:32:00 GMT

VIDEO: Can you spot the SMB?

Check out this video of the Riverside Arts Market in Jacksonville. We played there in April- it is a GREAT Saturday Market if you ever find yourself in/around Jax! Our good friend Maggie (of Textures ...
Posted by on Sat, 16 May 2009 08:34:00 GMT

New Boyfriend

After a long awaited (and much appreciated) break week, we were back on the road this weekend. We were in Atlanta on Thursday night, playing at the 500 Songs for Kids event. It was fun, as usual. I'm ...
Posted by on Sun, 10 May 2009 10:03:00 GMT

Times, they are a changin': Episode 5

For Episode 5 of Charlies blog, we give you this link.  Charlie commented on Bob Lefsetzs blog and told him about a few new concepts were trying - A Single Revolution and Name Your Own Price for CD...
Posted by on Tue, 05 May 2009 16:57:00 GMT

Horse, Flamingo, Penguin and Chicken Wing

The facts were these...I was at Charlie's house, in his kitchen, baking cupcakes with my sister, Annie (using our other sister's secret recipe).Charlie was in another room practicing his guitar.Charli...
Posted by on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:56:00 GMT

Something Beautiful

Hi everyone! I hope that your gardens are growing well... all of your little seedlings found good ground to put roots down in and didn't get washed away in the storm yesterday. I was so excited about ...
Posted by on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:16:00 GMT

Tomorrow Night at the Warehouse: Sarah Mac Band Community Garden

&.. and I love gardens. Im not entirely sure what is so appealing about them. Maybe it makes me feel like Im more a part of the bigger picture. Maybe its the idea of the elements combining in a way...
Posted by on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Sarah Mac Band News - 4/09/2009

http://campaign-archive.com/?u=4f8473d191837f7db86... SMB Newsletter
Posted by on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:10:00 GMT

M. Keli Swearingen, Ds,M.B

You all know our former drummer, Keli, right? If you're new to Sarah Mac Band fandom, we'll give you a little backstory. If you're an old friend or a longtime card-carrying member of the S'mackheads, ...
Posted by on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:07:00 GMT

Bob Dylan Covers

Okay....we've probably asked most of you for suggestions of Bob Dylan songs for us to cover. Just thought we'd update you on what we've heard so far:Lay Lady Lay (Nashville Skyline, 1969)Heart of Min...
Posted by on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:54:00 GMT