Rachael Sage Releases New Studio Album 'Blue Roses' Today

Rachael Sage announces the release of her new studio album, Blue Roses, out today, November 4, 2014 on MPress Records. The NYC singer-songwriter, poet, actor, visual artist and record label owner has thrived in the indie songwriter scene since her self-produced 1996 debut, Morbid Romantic. Her new album, Blue Roses, is a perceptive rumination on the human condition. Her voice pulsates with soulful melancholy over her driving piano, augmented by string-soaked arrangements.

Sage's music is prominently featured in the current season of Lifetime TV's hit reality series,Dance Moms, with eight of Sage's songs serving as accompaniment to the Abby Lee Dance Company's award-winning choreography. The show will be airing two more tracks from Blue Roses later this season, for a total of an unprecedented ten placements. As a former student of The School of American Ballet, Sage says "it's been pretty thrilling to watch young dancers like Maddie Ziegler and Chloe Lukasiak perform week after week to my music. They're incredible young artists, and have brought me back to dance in such a unique and unexpected way!"

Sage plays more than a hundred gigs annually with her band The Sequins, and has shared stages with Marc Cohn, The Animals, Shawn Colvin, Sarah McLachlan, A Great Big World, Jamie Cullum and Judy Collins. Collins makes a guest appearance on Blue Roses, dueting with Sage on her elegiac cover of Neil Young's "Helpless." "She has a very unusual way of treating a pop song," said Phil Ramone. "I admire her editorial and musical ability when it comes to crafting a tune." Rachael Sage's working methods reminded Phil Ramone of Bob Dylan - and he should know, having engineered the Blood on the Tracks sessions.

Ramone was not alone in his admiration for Sage's qualities - she was accorded the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, claimed the Outstanding Producer accolade for "Hope's Outpost" at the OutMusic Awards, is a 4-time Independent Music Award Winner and was named one of the top 100 independent artists of the past 15 years by Performing Songwriter magazine.

About Blue Roses
Blue Roses, the new album by Rachael Sage, is a collection of songs about the impact any single person can have upon the destiny of another. Sage has spent most of the last two years trying to channel evidence of compassion into her creative output. "These are incredibly confusing, chaotic times we're living in, and the older I get, the more vital it seems to me to document unabashed, wholehearted empathy wherever and however I can as an artist."

On the title track, "Blue Roses", Sage depicts an unusual relationship in which two people who won't ultimately stay together connect in a way that is permanently transformational. "Salvation from my point of view is when you can look another person in the eyes, have no regrets, and know you are both better people for having known each other."

The theme of transformation recurs on several other tracks, including "Wax", featuring theremin player Armen Ra (Antony & The Johnsons). Over hypnotic drum-loops, Sage muses bittersweetly over prior risks and current dangers in loving someone who can't commit, while acknowledging the element of her own karma in the situation ("if you break one heart it'll boomerang back / where was I when they taught that lesson").

"Happiness (Maddie's Song)", is the brightest and most hopeful track on the album, with an upbeat piano melody and swirling string lines. "I wrote this song after seeing a performance that was so extraordinary that I felt I had met a soul mate - even though I was merely in the audience."

Produced by Sage with two-time Grammy nominee John Shyloski (Stephen Kellogg, Johnny Winter), Blue Roses features 13 chamber-pop gems, supported by an impressive lineup of musical guests including drummer Quinn (Daft Punk), percussionist/singer Everett Bradley (Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates) and guitarists James Mastro (Garland Jeffries, Ian Hunter) and Jack Petruzelli (Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright). Closing out the album with a cover of Neil Young's "Helpless" - reimagined as a duet featuring folk icon Judy Collins and accompanied by Charleston alt-rock band A Fragile Tomorrow - Sage comes full circle, imbibing the classic anthem with a warmth that is entirely her own.

About Rachael Sage:
A soulful vocalist and innovative multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and producer Rachael Sage has been performing 100+ dates a year with her band, The Sequins throughout the US, UK, Europe and Asia. She has earned a loyal following for her dynamic piano playing, delicate guitar work, and soulful vocals. The Sequins are drummer Andy Mac, cellist Ward Williams and violinist Kelly Halloran.

Sage has shared stages with Sarah McLachlan, A Great Big World, Judy Collins, Colin Hay, Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, The Animals and Ani DiFranco. She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and received numerous songwriting awards including The John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Grand Prize) and several Independent Music Awards. Her songs have appeared on MTV, HBO, the Fame Soundtrack, and in the current season of Lifetime's #1 reality series, Dance Moms. Blue Roses is poised for a November 4 release, available everywhere through MPress Records. Rachael Sage and The Sequins will be touring the U.S. in support of the release, check out rachaelsage.com for dates.

On Tour Now:
Aug 23 Midland, TX Wagner Noel PAC w/ Judy Collins - 8PM
Aug 24 Dallas, TX Granada Theater w/ Judy Collins - 7PM
Sep 21 Rockville, MD Benefit Concert @ Ted's 355 Diner - 5PM
Sep 26 Savannah, GA Sentient Bean - 8PM
Sep 28 Birmingham, AL Moonlight on the Mountain - 7PM
Oct 5 Chicago, IL Uncommon Ground on Devon - 8PM
Oct 10 Los Angeles, CA Genghis Cohen - 9:30PM
Oct 15-26 United Kingdom UK Tour - dates TBA

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