BY ROB LESTER**** “Where Are They Now?” Piano bar singers of past years often land on their feet because they’re used to thinking on their feet. The talented singer Sarah Mucho might be best known to some barflies and Don’t Tell Mama’s boys as that dynamic and distinctively fierce presence who sang in that 46th Street piano bar some time ago. She’s been working for some time with The Sometime Boys. On Tuesday, June 13 at 9 pm sharp, you can find them at Rockwood Music Hall at 196 Allen Street on the Lower East Side. The next week, on Wednesday, June 21, look for them out front of Freddy’s Bar for the annual Make Music New York performance. The address is 627 Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn. Then Sarah goes a little further from the heart of Manhattan— to the Greek islands, Mykonos to be specific, to sing at The Montparnasse Piano Bar from July 1 to August 2.
Sarah is no newcomer. She was nominated for a MAC Award the first year I started writing about cabaret, back in 2005. It would not be her last nomination. She also worked piano bar duties at Rose’s Turn, and her MAC recognition has come for both that job and for FEmale Debut, as she did her own shows. Most notably, perhaps, she struck a chord with the crowd that thinks beyond traditional cabaret for her recreation of David Bowie’s Ziggie Stradust persona and music.
The Sometime Boys are a Brooklyn-based, progressive roots band. Co-founded by Sarah and guitarist Kurt Leege, they blend elements of bluegrass, country, soul and rock. The music is described on their website as “an intricate canvas of stringed instrument brushstrokes propelled by compelling lyrics and a rousing, dynamic rhythm section.” Sarah’s voice, described as a “bold, ethereal vibrato” is also backed by Pete O’Connell (bass) and Jay Cowit (drums).
The band released three studio albums, the latest in 2014: the 13-track Riverbed. It was named as one of the best albums of the year in New York Music Daily and the first single from the album, “The Great Escape,” received their nod for song of the year. WNYC radio station’s program Soundcheck has put its “Gig Alert” spotlight on their work. Their entire repertoire consists of nearly 40 original songs and over 200 covers, ranging from traditional folk music to straight up rock and roll.
Leave a Reply