Sarah Shook: Difference between revisions

| pronouns=[[they/them]]<ref name="CountryQueer-2020">{{Cite web |title=Bi/Pan Artists You Need to Know, Pt. 3: Sarah Shook |last1=Brothers |first1=Eryn |last2=Geist |first2=Dale |work=Country Queer |date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |url= https://countryqueer.com/stories/list/bi-pan-artist-you-need-to-know-pt-3-sarah-shook/}}</ref>

'''Sarah Marie Shook''' is an American country music singer-songwriter from North Carolina.<ref name=AuntieBellum-Profile-2016>{{cite news|last1=Kane|first1=Meeghan|title=Sarah Shook on Hellholes, Homes, Writing Music, and Southern Women|url=http://auntiebellum.org/mag/sarah-shook-on-hellholes-homes-writing-music-and-southern-women/|work=Auntie Bellum Magazine|date=28 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=Fader-NothinFeelsRight-2017>{{cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Duncan|title=Meet Sarah Shook, Country Music’s Radical And Ordinary Hero|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/05/04/sarah-shook-interview-sidelong-video|work=The Fader|date=4 May 2017}}</ref> Their "high lonesome" style incorporates country-punk and twang, with shades of outlaw country.<ref name=NoDep-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Ferguson|first1=Maeri|title=Sarah Shook Gives No F***s|url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/sarah-shook-gives-no-fs|work=No Depression|date=1 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=NoDep-Sidelong-May-2017>{{cite news|last1=Cholst|first1=Rachel|title=Deadly Accuracy With Sarah Shook and the Disarmers|url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/deadly-accuracy-sarah-shook-and-disarmers|work=No Depression|date=8 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=Glide-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Christian|first1=Trevor|title=Sarah Shook and the Disarmers’ Give New LP 'Sidelong' Plenty of Pull & Punch (Interview)|url=https://glidemagazine.com/184322/sarah-shook-disarmers-give-new-lp-sidelong-plenty-pull-punch-interview/|work=Glide Magazine|date=8 May 2017}}</ref>

Shook was born in Rochester, New York. They were homeschooled and grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family where music was restricted.<ref name=SavingCountryMusic-Sidelong-2015>{{cite news|last1=Trigger|title=Album Review – "Sidelong" by Sarah Shook & The Disarmers|url=http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-sidelong-by-sarah-shook-the-disarmers/|work=Saving Country Music|date=30 October 2015}}</ref> They were permitted only to listen to classical and worship music.<ref name=TheBoot-Years-2018>{{cite news|last1=Stefano|first1=Angela|title=Interview: Sarah Shook & the Disarmers Come Armed With Country Melodies, Biting Wit on 'Years'|url=http://theboot.com/sarah-shook-and-the-disarmers-years-interview-2018/|work=The Boot|date=6 April 2018|language=en}}</ref> When Shook was 9 years old they taught themself piano.<ref name=AmSongwriter-Years-2018>{{cite news|title=Instant and Total Catharsis: A Q&A with Sarah Shook|url=http://americansongwriter.com/2018/04/instant-total-catharsis-qa-sarah-shook/|work=American Songwriter|date=17 April 2018}}</ref> In high school they taught themself acoustic guitar.<ref name=IndyWeek-Sidelong-2015 />

In 2010, Shook started their first band, Sarah Shook and the Devil. The band was made up of Shook on vocals and guitar, Jon Baughman on bass, Phil Sullivan on lap steel, and Eric Peterson on guitar. The band released a seven-song EP, 2013's ''Seven''<ref name=NoDep-Sidelong-2015>{{cite news|last1=Britt|first1=Grant|title=Hard Core Shook Country|url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/hard-core-shook-country|work=No Depression|date=10 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=GrafWV-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Cutler|first1=Joey|title=Sarah Shook & the Disarmers hit the roadi|url=http://www.grafwv.com/page/content.detail/id/506818/Sarah-Shook---the-Disarmers-hit-the-road.html?nav=5017|work=GrafWV.com|date=31 May 2017}}</ref> but disbanded later the same year.<ref name=IndyWeek-Sidelong-2015>{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Corbie|title=Sarah Shook is a single mother and a tough country singer with a reckless side. She is keeping both ends up.|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/sarah-shook-is-a-single-mother-and-a-tough-country-singer-with-a-reckless-side-she-is-keeping-both-ends-up/Content?oid=4813996|work=Indy Week|date=14 October 2015|language=en}}</ref>

Shook started a new band called Sarah Shook & the Disarmers in mid to late 2013. The band started as a recording project, with Eric Peterson on guitar, and John Howie Jr. (Two Dollar Pistols, John Howie Jr. & the Rosewood Bluff) on drums, Jason Hendrick on bass fiddle, and Phil Sullivan on lap steel.<ref name=PopMatters-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Whitelock|first1=Ed|title=Sarah Shook and the Disarmers: Sidelong|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/sarah-shook-the-disarmers-sidelong/|work=PopMatters|date=26 April 2017}}</ref><ref name=Paste-Years-Review-2018>{{cite news|last1=Salmon|first1=Ben|title=Sarah Shook & the Disarmers: Years Review|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/04/sarah-shook-the-disarmers-years-review.html|work=Paste|date=5 April 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Sarah Shook and the Disarmers released their first record, ''Sidelong,'' in October 2015, with a re-release in 2017.<ref name=VICE-Noisey-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Domenighini|first1=Annalise|title=Sarah Shook and the Disarmers Are Drinking Mainstream Country Under the Table|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/sarah-shook-and-the-disarmers-are-drinking-mainstream-country-under-the-table|work=Noisey|publisher=VICE Media|date=24 April 2017|language=en-us}}</ref> ''Sidelong'' was produced by Ian Schreier at Manifold Recording Studios, which is near the Haw River in North Carolina. The record was tracked and recorded live in April 2015.<ref name=WSJ-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Jurgensen|first1=John|title=Sarah Shook Tries Out the Boozy Ballad|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sarah-shook-tries-out-the-boozy-ballad-1493550003|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=30 April 2017}} {{closed access}}</ref> The band found regional and national success with the record. They signed with Kathie Russell of RedKats Artist Management, which led to them signing with Chicago's Bloodshot Records in January 2017.<ref name=RollingStone-10toKnow-2016>{{cite news|last1=Parton|first1=Chris|title=10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: July 2016|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-new-country-artists-you-need-to-know-july-2016-20160701/sarah-shook-the-disarmers-20160630|work=Rolling Stone|date=1 July 2016}}</ref><ref name=Noisey-Years-2018>{{cite news|last1=Domenighini|first1=Annalise|title=Sarah Shook Has Words for the Rich-Ass Motherfuckers of Pop Country|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/ywxb8m/sarah-shook-has-words-for-the-rich-ass-motherfuckers-of-pop-country|work=Noisey|publisher=Vice Media|date=4 April 2018}}</ref>

''Sidelong'' was named one of the 2015's top 50 Essential Albums by Saving Country Music.<ref name=SavingCountryMusic-50Essential-2015>{{cite news|last1=Trigger|title=Saving Country Music’s 50 Essential Albums for 2015|url=http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-50-essential-albums-for-2015/|work=Saving Country Music|date=14 December 2015}}</ref> The records was number 2 on ''Indy Week|Indy Week's'' top 25 best albums of 2015.<ref name=IndyWeek-Top25Albums-2015>{{cite news|last1=Currin|first1=Grayson Haver|title=Listen up: The Triangle's 25 best albums of 2015|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/listen-up-the-triangles-25-best-albums-of-2015/Content?oid=4958928&showFullText=true|work=Indy Week|date=23 December 2015|language=en}}</ref> Sarah Shook and the Disarmers were listed as one of 10 New Country Artists to Know in July 2016.<ref name=RollingStone-10toKnow-2016 /> Also in 2016, BuzzFeed Community listed Shook as one of five women country artists who are impacting music.<ref name=BuzzFeed-5Women-2016>{{cite news|last1=KitRedd|title=5 Women Who Are Kicking Country Music's Ass|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/kitredd/untitled-draft-1460420106-2ae7x|work=BuzzFeed Community|date=11 April 2016}}</ref> It received positive reviews.<ref name=Paste-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Zimmerman|first1=Lee|title=Sarah Shook & The Disarmers: Sidelong Review|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/04/sarah-shook-the-disarmers-sidelong-review.html|work=Paste|date=24 April 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name=WCQS-Sidelong-2016>{{cite news|last1=Loeb|first1=Jeremy|title=Country Singer Sarah Shook Talks 'Sidelong' and HB2|url=http://wcqs.org/post/country-singer-sarah-shook-talks-sidelong-and-hb2#stream/0|work=WCQS|publisher=Western North Carolina Public Radio|date=28 April 2016|language=en}}</ref><ref name=WUNC-Sidelong-2015>{{cite news|last1=Hodge|first1=Eric|title=Sarah Shook Sings About Whiskey, Bad Luck, And Healing on 'Sidelong'|url=http://wunc.org/post/sarah-shook-sings-about-whiskey-bad-luck-and-healing-sidelong#stream/0|work=WUNC (FM)|date=4 December 2015|language=en}}</ref>

In April 2018, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers released their second record, which was called ''Years,'' on Bloodshot Records. Shook and the band worked on the songs while touring heavily.<ref name=RollingStone-Years-2018>{{cite news|last1=Freeman|first1=Jon|title=Country Punk Sarah Shook Talks New LP 'Years,' Finding Strength in Humor|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/features/sarah-shook-on-disarmers-new-lp-years-w518818|work=Rolling Stone|date=6 April 2018}}</ref> Shook also focused on learning vocal techniques as a way to control and release their vocals, which led to what many reviews cite as a crisper vocal sound.<ref name=Noisey-Years-2018 /> Music critic Greg Kot compares Shook's vocals to those of jazz vocals, noting that Shook and the band, who have toured together for years, are ferocious.<ref name=SoundOpinions-Years-Review-2018>{{cite news|last1=DeRogatis|first1=Jim|last2=Kot|first2=Greg|title=Show 646: The Legend of Captain Beefheart, Opinions on Kacey Musgraves & Sarah Shook|url=http://www.soundopinions.org/show/646|work=Sound Opinions|date=13 April 2018|language=en|format=Audio radio talk show and podcast}}</ref> The song, "Good as Gold," was chosen as one of ''Rolling Stone's'' 10 best country and Americana songs of the week in March 2018.<ref name=RollingStone-BestSong-GoodAsGold-2018>{{cite news|last1=McKenna|first1=Brittney|title=10 Best Country, Americana Songs of the Week: Brent Cobb, Sarah Shook|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/lists/best-country-americana-songs-to-hear-now-brent-cobb-sarah-shook-w517955/sarah-shook-and-the-disarmers-good-as-gold-w517958|work=Rolling Stone|date=16 March 2018}}</ref> ''Years'' has received positive reviews.<ref name=SoundOpinions-Years-Review-2018 /><ref name=PopMatters-Years-Review-2018>{{cite news|last1=Whitelock|first1=Ed|title=Sarah Shook and the Disarmers Have Made a New Country Classic with 'Years'|url=https://www.popmatters.com/sarah-shook-disarmers-years-2555931671.html|work=PopMatters|date=4 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref name=WideOpenCountry-Years-Review-2018>{{cite news|last1=Sawyer|first1=Bobbie Jean|title=Sarah Shook Talks Resilience, Drinking Songs and Making Her Own Rules|url=http://www.wideopencountry.com/sarah-shook-talks-resilience-drinking-songs-and-making-her-own-rules/|work=Wide Open Country|date=5 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=ChicagoTrib-Years-Review-2018>{{cite news|last1=Kot|first1=Greg|title=Sarah Shook sings with sharpened clarity on 'Years'|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/sc-ent-sarah-shook-review-0406-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=6 April 2018}}</ref>

The Disarmers is made up of Eric Peterson on guitar, Aaron Oliva on upright bass, Kevin McClain on drums, and Phil Sullivan on pedal steel.<ref name=Bandsintown-Years-2018>{{cite news|last1=Irwin|first1=Taylor|title=Bandsintown Big Break: Meet Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, The Beautifully Defiant Force Country Music Needs|url=https://news.bandsintown.com/view-article/2018/04/18/bandsintown-big-break-meet-sarah-shook-the-disarmers-the-beautifully-defiant-force-country-music-needs|work=Bandsintown|date=18 April 2018}}</ref>

A documentary, ''What it Takes: film en douze tableaux'', from director Gorman Bechard is scheduled to be released on DVD on November 9, 2018.  It follows Shook as they write and record their album ''Years''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gormanbechard.wordpress.com/tag/sarah-shook-and-the-disarmers/|title=sarah shook and the disarmers {{!}} Guy With Typewriter|website=gormanbechard.wordpress.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=What it Takes: film en douze tableaux|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7423972/|access-date=2018-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Films|first=What Were We Thinking|title=What it Takes: film en douze tableaux - TRAILER|date=2018-01-06|url=https://vimeo.com/249948294|access-date=2018-09-09}}</ref>  As the ''If It's Too Loud'' music blog says, "Film documentaries are typically put out by a record company as a way to cash in on an artist and are little more than fluff pieces, or they focus on drama within a band. ''What it Takes: film en douze tableaux'' doesn't do any of that. While Bechard is an obvious fan of his subject, he shows them as is, and doesn't try to show them glossed over or hyped up."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifitstooloud.com/2018/05/film-review-what-it-takes-film-en-douze.html|title=Film Review: What it Takes: film en douze tableaux|website=www.ifitstooloud.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-09}}</ref>

Although Shook grew up in a deeply religious environment, they are an atheist.<ref name=DailyTarHeel-Sidelong-2016>{{cite news|last1=Rhodes|first1=Davis|title=Q&A with rocker mom Sarah Shook|url=http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2016/06/qa-with-rocker-mom-sarah-shook|work=The Daily Tar Heel|date=16 June 2016}}</ref> Shook identifies as both [[bisexual]] and [[pansexual]],<ref name=NoDep-Sidelong-May-2017 /> as well as [[nonbinary]] and [[genderqueer]].<ref name="CountryQueer-2020" /><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1323842514516762625|user=sarahshook|title=There needs to be community housing for gay kids with conservative parents.  Speaking as a nonbinary pansexual person and former child of conservative parents.|date=November 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1280741192683094016|user=sarahshook|title=I knew I was genderqueer when I was about 9 (right around the time I developed and had to conceal my first crush) and from that point on I accepted that I never completely identified as a girl.|date=July 8, 2020}}</ref> They are politically active in supporting LGBT and civil rights causes.<ref name=DailyTimes-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Wildsmith|first1=Steve|title=Outlaw country becomes a vehicle for gender activism by Sarah Shook|url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/entertainment/outlaw-country-becomes-a-vehicle-for-gender-activism-by-sarah/article_5e9b608e-11f7-5f29-a91f-910e5a61fec8.html|work=The Daily Times|date=24 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> Along with fellow musician and activist Erika Libero (Henbrain),<ref name=IndyWeek-Activism-2016>{{cite news|last1=Hussey|first1=Allison|title=Sarah Shook and Erika Libero Mark Progressive Territory With Rainbow Decals and Amplify Women's Voices|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/sarah-shook-and-erika-libero-mark-progressive-territory-with-rainbow-decals-and-amplify-womens-voices/Content?oid=5094465|work=Indy Week|date=14 December 2016|language=en}}</ref> they won the 2016 Indy Arts Award for their work with Chapel Hill-based Safe Space initiative, which was an effort to get local businesses to put up stickers that offered safe spaces for people needing it – and for their work putting on a 2-day music festival, Manifest, which includes bands that have at least one female or nonbinary member.<ref name=SheShreds-TheNail-2017>{{cite news|last1=Ludwig|first1=Jamie|title=Sarah Shook and the Disarmers on Outlaw Country and Safe Spaces. Listen to "The Nail" Now!|url=http://sheshredsmag.com/interview-sarah-shook-disarmers-listen-nail-now/|work=She Shreds Magazine|date=11 April 2017}}</ref><ref name=WideOpenCountry-Sidelong-2017>{{cite news|last1=Sawyer|first1=Bobbie Jean|title=Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, a Renegade Outlaw Country Band from North Carolina|url=http://www.wideopencountry.com/sarah-shook-and-the-disarmers-band-to-watch/|work=Wide Open Country|date=8 June 2017}}</ref>