Sarah Harmer Brought Her Show Home To Kingston

Recently, Kingston’s own Sarah Harmer and her band brought the show home. Sarah had just released her sixth album, Are You Gone, when the world shut down and is just now able to tour with her new music. Sarah is also working with a new band with Kelly McMichael on keyboards and vocals, Dani Nash on Drums and vocals, Zach Bines on Bass and Gord Tough on Guitar.

Sarah has lived outside Kingston for many years and it’s always special to have a visit from a home town artist. Her special brand of laid back pop music was a welcome treat as the music world begins to pick up steam once again.

The evening was broken into two sets and the music from her most recent album, Are You Gone were sprinkled in throughout both sets. Sarah’s social awareness is evident in her music with songs like Escarpment Blues, inspired by her fight to save the Niagara Escarpment from the corporate entities who wished to work it for financial gains.

Sarah’s clear melodic voice is such a pleasure to listen to. Combine that with her amazing talent for writing songs and it makes her a real force. She can rock with the best of them one minute and then deliver a beautiful folkie song full of emotion the next. I really liked the opportunity to hear her play with a band, I have never had that pleasure,  and her band is certainly part of the show. Both Dani Nash and Kelly McMichael are very capable singers and lent their talents for some great harmonies throughout the show.

The crowd was a mix of all ages and was appreciative of the show, breaking into applause when they heard the beginning of a song they recognized. We heard some of the singles like Just Get Here, St Peter’s Bay and New Low and they were very positively received. Sarah spent time talking to the audience, connecting with them through her many stories of how songs came to be or maybe the odd observation about living in Kingston.

There was a second show on May 19 and I’m sure the experience was just as special as the first show on Wednesday. I used to shoot my three songs and leave but recently I have hung around to review and this is one show that I was extremely glad I did just that. Sarah is one of Canada’s great songwriters and it is an honour to see her perform those songs for us. An amazing experience that will not be forgotten.

You can still catch Sarah and band in concert throughout the summer, ending October 1 in St. John’s Newfoundland. Try to make it out to a show if you can, you will be entertained in grand fashion.

Check out Sarah’s website for further info.