Music
Press
A little bit country and a little bit folky, the songs of O Pioneers bounce so merrily you might miss the heartbreak. - Time Out New York
alt country folk, poppiest when about boyfriends and unicorns. - The Village Voice
Sara Shaoul has a divine voice, an intruiging and beguiling sound all her own. She's got this soaring, warbling, rootsy thing going on that just hits my heartstrings. - Tastemaker.com
Discography
O Pioneers has released 3 EP's. Our single Stand Clear can be currently heard as the theme song in the Showtime/Lifetime movie "Speak," starring Steve Zahn.
Our music has also been heard on PS1 radio in NYC.
Photos
Bio
Since forming 2 years ago, O Pioneers has had the good luck to play at New York venues like the Living Room, Pianos, Southpaw and the Mercury Lounge, perform on PS1 Radio, and attract the notice of both the Village Voice and Time Out New York. Bandleader Sara Shaoul began her music career as her father's drummer and backup singer during Persian music performances at family parties. Her teenage years were filled with the sounds of Depeche Mode, the Smiths, the Cure and Talking Heads, and a love for the harmonies of the Indigo Girls. After falling deeply in love with Phil Ochs and Bill Monroe, Shaoul began performing as the ukelele playing half of folk/country duo The Recorder Club with current bandmate Matt Rocker. After a detour as rhythm guitarist in rock band The Constituents, she decided to form her own band, and O Pioneers was born. Combining folk, alt-country and indie rock, O Pioneers sets itself apart with Shaoul's unique vibrato-tinged vocals and the spare, intelligent lead guitar of accomplished film-scorer Matt Rocker. The rhythm section is composed of drummer Dave Berger, who has toured with Erin McKeown and Ursa Minor and bassist Cat Popper, an alumni of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. The band released a third EP in June 2008 and is currently recording their first album.
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