about sarah gross
Sarah Gross is a queer cowboy, singer/songwriter, and producer based out of (you guessed it) Long Island, NY. Sarah is an artist that leaves her audiences questioning if she has cast a spell on them, or if just maybe, folk/country influenced music has a place in their lives. Sarah’s debut album “Songs from the Passenger Seat”, was widely received upon her release in 2020 thanks to her following on social media. Her sophomore album, “The Killjoy” is a highly anticipated release which was released August 2023.
Any performance with her is a tasteful combination of dancing to redesigned, innovative covers, and a healthy existential crisis stemming from her narrative driven song-writing. She takes pride in her Pisces sun sign, bringing every show the full range of human emotions.
Sarah has been playing around Long Island ever since she could play a barre chord. Since then, she has been hand picked to open for artists such as Sammy Rae & The Friends, Lawrence, Clark Beckham, Melt, and more. She made a name for herself in the Upstate, NY music scene while attending school at Syracuse University. After graduating, she has sold out shows at Rockwood Music Hall, played legendary venues like The Bitter End, Mercury Lounge, The Bowery Electric, etc, and continues to play locally around Long Island. She recently played this year's Pine Barren’s Jam Festival, Queerli’s Queer Music Festival at Better Man Distilling Co., and has captured audiences at Long Island's renowned Bradstock festival as well as the Sag Harbor American Music Fest.
Sarah's genuine storytelling and heartfelt performances have won the hearts of audiences near and far, cementing her place as a rising star in the indie folk music realm. With every verse, she weaves emotions into melodies, leaving an indelible mark on the souls of those who listen.
ABOUT "THE KILLJOY"
Sarah's sophomore album, "The Killjoy," stands as a remarkable testament to her growth as both an artist and an individual. Delving into the depths of her soul, the album narrates the poignant tale of bidding farewell to her younger self, like leaves falling gracefully from a tree to pave the way for new beginnings. With each note played and every word sung, she lays bare her journey of metamorphosis, encouraging her listeners to embrace their own transformations with open arms.
"The Killjoy" is an auditory masterpiece, skillfully blending elements of folk, indie, and alternative rock, all of which Sarah expertly crafts to mirror the depth and complexity of her journey. With evocative lyrics that resonate like poetry and melodies that linger long after the last chord fades, the album's ethereal soundscapes transport listeners to the heart of Sarah's metamorphosis.
The first single, "Naturally", is a folk/country/rock song inspired by the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, Haim, and Bob Dylan. The song was embraced by TikTok, regularly getting over 80,000 views, gained significant streaming traction, and has also been in rotation on WLIW-FM.
"Killjoy", the title track of the record, is a reflective piece about grieving your inner child. This song was quickly picked up by Spotify's editorial "New Grass" playlist alongside artists like Willie Nelson, Sarah Jarosz, and Aiofe O'Donovan.
From UpToHear regarding "Killjoy":
"For this song, Gross has summoned the style of John Prine and wrapped it around the more modern sound of Kacey Musgraves. “Killjoy” begins with some gently strummed acoustic guitar before Gross’ delicate vocal appears, taking listeners on a personal, yet familiar journey that describes the way “each step into adulthood feels like a new wound to the inner-child.” Gross has earned a spot on our blog for the subject matter alone, but the arrangement is perfectly crafted as well."
To commemorate the album, Sarah and her band will be touring across New York (Syracuse, Catskills, Woodstock, Saratoga Springs, Oneonta, New York City, and Sag Harbor for the American Music Fest) this fall.