Sarah Jaffe

There’s a weight to Sarah Jaffe‘s music. It doesn’t always come with the first listen, but you’ll find yourself bowled over soon enough. What you’ll notice right away is Sarah’s gorgeous voice and guitar skill, immersed in layers of harmonies and strings that make her a delight. I have heard Ms. Jaffe’s songs described as “a lullaby for adults” and I’ve never been able to come up with a more apt appraisal. With a unique wisdom and a gift for speaking the truth strung together with beautiful notes, Suburban Nature is one of my favorite albums of 2010. Make sure to put it on if you’re driving across the country. The lovely and talented Sarah Jaffe answered a few questions for The Ruckus on growing up with music, people who inspire her, and writing brilliant songs.

“Clementine” is such a great song. Can you tell me anything about the story behind writing it?

I wrote “Clementine” about six years ago in an old friend’s dorm room in Arkansas. I was in this band at the time, we were kind of a “bit” band I guess you could say. Anyway, we had our first show in Arkansas and we didn’t have enough songs. So I sat down and wrote “Clementine”, pretty light-heartedly, actually, just as a filler for our set. So when people started latching onto it, I was almost bitter about it. It hasn’t been until just recently that the song’s emotion has kind of evolved for me. But I can relate to it now.

Sarah Jaffe – Clementine by the ruckus

I read on NPR that you recorded in a funeral parlor. How did that come about?

The producer that I worked with on the EP and this full length, John Congleton, bought this space for his studio that, ironically enough, was a funeral parlor in the ’60s. Despite how creepy it sounds, it’s a really charming space.

Tell me about your album, Suburban Nature.

It’s a compilation of songs that have pretty much come from very different periods of time. I had come to record with about fifteen songs, and the record came down to thirteen eventually. Those songs just made the most sense together.

How did you start playing music?

I’ve just always had a deep adoration for it. My mother was always singing and my Dad always gushing over Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell. I started asking for musical instruments when I was three and finally got my first real guitar when I was ten. It was just something that I wanted to do from a very young age.

What are your plans for the future?

Right now my main focus is this tour- just trying to improve my musicianship and live performance- and getting back home to finish an EP I’ve been working on in Denton.

What have you been listening to lately?

I really love Röyksopp‘s most recent record, Junior. I love Charlotte Gainsbourg and Serge Gainsbourg. Also Little Dragon.

How do you keep yourself occupied while touring?

I actually love nothing more than just driving and spacing out, safely, while listening to good music. I like those long stretches of driving where you cover a lot in your head.

What are your hobbies outside of music?

Whenever I get chances for road trips, even small ones, I try to take them. I love traveling as much as possible.

What three people, living or dead, would you most like to meet?

John Lennon, Björk, and Stephin Merritt.