Bird to Prey

Tonight’s support at the East Brunswick Club is Bird To Prey aka Sarah Turk, who gets the room’s attention with her strong singing vocals and acoustic guitar. Sarah has such power in her voice for a small lass! She hails from Fremantle and puts on a fantastic display tonight, her music rich with ooh’s , blended with deep throaty growls. Her music could be described as acoustic roots with blues and a smidge of country rock thrown in. Sarah has a fantastic voice and is a fabulous support for tonight’s main act.

Read the rest of the review at: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/17135/Jeff-Martin--East-Brunswick-Club-Melbourne-190209.htm
- FasterLouder

Sarah Turk recently supported Jeff Lang at the Fly by Night on May 11, 2007

Below is a review from the gig posted on the Fly by Night MySpace.

Support was lent in the form of Sarah Turk, who must be tired of comparisons to Holly Throsby, because while they fit, Turk expresses herself with an astute gentleness. Her delicate, quiet songs drew the attention of the crowd, which as we all well know, is rare for support acts. To say they are pretty, is not to imply they are simplistic, rather when coupled with Turk's obvious deft songwriting and her honey voice become well, pretty. And one has to wonder, just why it is that Sarah Turk is a relative unrecognised name, and yet female artists that creates work of far less merit (I'm looking at you Missy Higgins) receive a gazillion ARIA's.




- Fly by Night Musicians Club

The evening's entertainment was opened by Sarah Turk, almost diminutive, almost meek, but possessing a voice that captivated even the most conversationalist of the audience. At times seeming to pinch melodies from Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams or early Tom Waits, and who could blame her, her minimalist guitar playing and swagger served her balladry brilliantly. - Drum Media

The evening's entertainment was opened by Sarah Turk, almost diminutive, almost meek, but possessing a voice that captivated even the most conversationalist of the audience. At times seeming to pinch melodies from Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams or early Tom Waits, and who could blame her, her minimalist guitar playing and swagger served her balladry brilliantly. - Drum Media

Bird to Prey performed in the Next Big Thing Band Comp on June 20, 2008

The Next Big Thing is Western Australia's richest band competition
and one of the States major musical events. NBTWA gives contemporary
musicians and solo acts around WA a chance national exposure and to be
seen and heard by key industry players.

Below is an overview of what the judges had to say

BIRD TO PREY

Quote - A great dynamic created through a creative mix of power and
fragility!!

The judges thought Bird to Prey blended various styles of music and and made your sound your own, the material was strong, great poetic lyrics, good arrangements and some soaring moments musically.

You displayed good use of dynamics and though your act is small in
numbers it is large in presence and this transferred over to the audience.

TOP JOB!!

- NBT

Bird to Prey performed in the Next Big Thing Band Comp on June 20, 2008

The Next Big Thing is Western Australia's richest band competition
and one of the States major musical events. NBTWA gives contemporary
musicians and solo acts around WA a chance national exposure and to be
seen and heard by key industry players.

Below is an overview of what the judges had to say

BIRD TO PREY

Quote - A great dynamic created through a creative mix of power and
fragility!!

The judges thought Bird to Prey blended various styles of music and and made your sound your own, the material was strong, great poetic lyrics, good arrangements and some soaring moments musically.

You displayed good use of dynamics and though your act is small in
numbers it is large in presence and this transferred over to the audience.

TOP JOB!!

- NBT

This article can also be read here:

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25833772-5005364,00.html



THROWING herself deep into the unknown is something of a creative necessity for Fremantle musician Sarah Turk, aka Bird to Prey.

While some might think it takes guts – and a dash of insanity – to pack up your things, move to a different country and try to break into a new scene when your profile isn’t quite on par with Kylie Minogue, the songstress just shrugs her shoulders with a look of nonchalance.

“I don’t think it’s quite hit me yet," she says, "but I’m sure in a little while it will, and I’ll be thinking, ‘What do I do now?’"

The 27-year-old, who only months ago was touring the east coast with the Tea Party’s Jeff Martin, has just moved to Canada’s largest city, Toronto, to join the North American circuit.

Figuratively a million miles from friendly Freo, Toronto’s thriving music scene is highly competitive, with thousands of artists vying for stage space. But Turk’s appealing mix of electric folk, blues and country has already got her a foot in the door.

The catalyst for her move was an invitation to the pivotal North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival, where 500 acts play in 50 clubs over five days, and industry heavyweights scan the line-ups for the next big thing.

The annual event, held late in June, saw her play to a packed room and make some handy contacts.

“I met a lot of local artists at NXNE and we’re trying to organise a few shows around town together. I’ve also been in touch with a few promoters out east. It’s early days, but I’m hoping to have a few shows booked in the next few months,” she says.

If her ability to hook up with performers above her weight continues – aside from Martin, she’s previously paired with Jeff Lang and the New Pornographers – her profile may well soar across the Commonwealth. “Maybe in another year’s time I will have worked my way up to that level here, otherwise I’ll be heading back home to Perth to pick up where I left off,” she says.

Either way, she's content just to enjoy the experience.

Bird to Prey’s album We Are Not Kings Here is out now.
- Sunday Times Magazine

Bird to Prey's latest released album, "We Are Not Kings Here" gives Indie music sharp songwriting and a new sultry voice Colbie Caillat should be worried about. Singer/songwriter Sarah Turk displays vocals that ooze the same beauty as her contemporaries Nicole Atkins, Feist, and Jenny Lewis. She avoids being too mushy or self-loathing by using a Folk flavor that's just delightful. Aside from the usual piano and clean guitar, she makes use of different instruments such as bells on the charming track "Sing a Lullaby." A recommended track: "Pepper Tree Road" as it features an easy flowing rhythm and catchy melody. "We Are Not Kings Here" is a strong, sweet album that will be enjoyed by fans who take pleasure in listening to a fusion of Country, Folk, Indie, and Blues music.

-Matt M. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team - Radio Indy

"Bird to Prey is Low Fi indi pop, she frey's her feyness with sudden brief bursts of energy" - CMJ 08 - CMJ Festival Guide

The most striking thing on this 8-track album is the incredibly different sounds Sarah Turk evokes from that voice of hers. Through the first four tracks she channels the vocal talents of Martha Wainwright, Juanita Stein, Donna Simpson, and Scout Niblett and with it the different emotional range of each of these singers.

The songs show a great range in Turk's song writing as she covers the ground between band rock on Marlborough, the understated electric guitar style that Cat Power and Niblett have made their own on 'Pepper Tree Road', and the folk acoustic of 'Well Seasons they Change'. The juxtaposition of the electric and the subtle acoustic on 'The Wind Has Taken Me' compliments the tone of the duet with Turin Robinson wonderfully, the atmospheric guitar break aches on the same level as the two vocal lines. 'Mirrors and Smoke, I'm Dancing With the Ghost'. starts of with the subtle picked electric before breaking in to a reverb laced band arrangement, retreating to Turk solo and returning to the band. It's wonderful.

All this different ranging and playing to different styles and arrangements is often an artists' downfall. By spreading themselves too thin, or by trying to adapt too many styles, the songs suffer. Their own style is hidden and manipulated, never capturing the personality of the performer or the song. Turk sidesteps this brilliantly simply because she doesn't waver in her songwriting, as anyone who has seen her live will attest. The arrangements serve the songs first and foremost. That is the strength behind Bird to Prey, and certainly the strength behind this release.

<B>Jason Kenny
Drum Media</B> - Drum Media

The most striking thing on this 8-track album is the incredibly different sounds Sarah Turk evokes from that voice of hers. Through the first four tracks she channels the vocal talents of Martha Wainwright, Juanita Stein, Donna Simpson, and Scout Niblett and with it the different emotional range of each of these singers.

The songs show a great range in Turk's song writing as she covers the ground between band rock on Marlborough, the understated electric guitar style that Cat Power and Niblett have made their own on 'Pepper Tree Road', and the folk acoustic of 'Well Seasons they Change'. The juxtaposition of the electric and the subtle acoustic on 'The Wind Has Taken Me' compliments the tone of the duet with Turin Robinson wonderfully, the atmospheric guitar break aches on the same level as the two vocal lines. 'Mirrors and Smoke, I'm Dancing With the Ghost'. starts of with the subtle picked electric before breaking in to a reverb laced band arrangement, retreating to Turk solo and returning to the band. It's wonderful.

All this different ranging and playing to different styles and arrangements is often an artists' downfall. By spreading themselves too thin, or by trying to adapt too many styles, the songs suffer. Their own style is hidden and manipulated, never capturing the personality of the performer or the song. Turk sidesteps this brilliantly simply because she doesn't waver in her songwriting, as anyone who has seen her live will attest. The arrangements serve the songs first and foremost. That is the strength behind Bird to Prey, and certainly the strength behind this release.

<B>Jason Kenny
Drum Media</B> - Drum Media