Sarah Orton doubles down on her fear of change in her soulfully smouldering new single Same Same — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
A slow-burning last-waltz ballad complete with a molasses groove, lushly shimmering keyboards, and guitars that chime and howl and twang — all topped with seductively smoky vocals and sighing girl-group backups — the B.C. singer-songwriter’s latest release is a timeless gem that would be right at home on a playlist with both The Shangri-Las and Lana Del Rey. Dark, rich and filled with yearning, it heralds a new stage in her musical evolution. Not bad for a song whose lyrics voice a lover’s desire to run away and hide from life’s difficulties. “Change is inevitable,” Orton admits, “but sometimes you just wish all the growing pains could be avoided.”
Same Same was written during the Rogue Banff Alumni International Songwriting Residency, though Sarah is no alumnus. After accepting an invitation from a friend due to a last-minute opening, Orton spent the two weeks both excited and terrified at the prospect of writing and performing a song to a collective and staff of industry professionals. “Getting up and moving was fairly consistent feedback from creatives, both for your body and mind,” she recalls. “It inspired the chorus I composed the next day.”
Same Same was produced, mixed and mastered by Sam Ryan. In addition to Orton’s undeniable vocals, the track features Austin Parachoniak on guitar, Quillan Hanley on bass, Graham Tracey on drums and Chris Gestrin on keyboards.
Orton’s early exposure to mainstream pop music as a child of the ’90s, the blues and rock cassettes on rotation in her hippy parents’ Ford Bronco, and her enigmatic Russian Doukhobor ancestry — a heritage preserved through psalm singing — all had a significant impact in shaping her musical journey. For her, singing and performance are a profoundly spiritual and creative form of expression. As a result, she has forge a path as a versatile and dynamic vocalist, songwriter, producer and collaborator — all while working as a voice actor.
The fruits of her musical labour can be heard in the neo-soul outfit Penny Shades, who recently premiered their single and video Way Back HERE. More of Orton’s singing can be heard on electro-folk act Moontricks’ latest album Currents. She also tours with them as a backup and featured vocalist on select dates. Exploring the depths of her musicianship through her solo project, her upcoming release SOS Music promises to be a soulful pop adventure. It’s due by the end of the year.
Check out Same Same above, hear more from Sarah Orton below and keep up with her on her website and Instagram.
