Sarah Petrella

I'm not too much into country music, but a good song is a good song, and Dancing With The Devil, the new single of Sarah Petrella, is a good one indeed.
Born and raised in Encinitas, California, Sarah Petrella has been actively experimenting with music since the young age of six, dabbling in both musicals and personal songwriting. She soon realized that the stage was her home when she performed in a country band known as "Most Wanted", where she won the CMA competition for Best Vocal Group, prior to her early teens! Her talents eventually took her to Nashville where at age sixteen, she began to record in a professional setting. While her voice and style were initially a down to earth form of country, other musicians who would come to mold the Petrella we know today, include Judy Garland, Shania Twain, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, to name a few. Her current style is reflective of a variety of inspirations that include blues, rock and country. Petrella's impeccable vocal skills echo this variety as she moves from soft and sweet to commanding and powerful in the matter of seconds. Back in Los Angeles, Petrella has tapped more into her rock roots as she graced the stage at the House of Blues, Room 5 and many more.
Dancing With The Devil is an awesome, highly entertaining, country-rock song; it's the first single off Sarah's upcoming EP, recorded at Echo Underground Studios and produced by Dan Kalisher. Watch for it to be out later this year. Meanwhile, stream Dancing With The Devil on SoundCloud and buy it on iTunes. - weChameleon

by Kendra Beltran
Los Angeles is synonymous with those looking to make it, whether it be with music, movies or TV but it’s not the only place in Southern California swimming with talent. A ways down the 405 on a day with no traffic (rare but it can happen) sits Encinitas, a beauty just north of San Diego and in that picturesque city is Sarah Petrella. She’s a folk singer with a rock edge who has a new single that’s versatile as a pocket knife.

While Sarah has this folk rock thing going on, when “Dancing With The Devil” started I heard this pop rock song infused with a little hint of country tossed in the mix. Genre aside, what really stands out is her vocal range. The pipes are strong with this one, which doesn’t surprise you once you learn that she’s been working towards her musical career since the tender age of 10. That’s when she penned her first song and began finding an appreciation for the theater. That country I heard in her latest single has to come from her time spent in Nashville when she was 15 as well as her love of musical greats like Bonnie Raitt.

Clubs in Los Angeles have hundreds of artists playing each night, but again – it’s not the only place in the Southern California region cranking out music’s next big thing. Sarah Petrella has proven with “Dancing With The Devil” that if you head a little further south, the San Diego region can hold their own too.

Sarah Petrella’s “Dancing With The Devil” is out now, and stay tuned for more to come from her. - Coming Up Magazine

Los Angeles based musician Sarah Petrella just released her single, "Dancing with the Devil" and as the title suggests, the piece evokes a uniquely forbidden charm and proves to be irresistibly enticing. Showcasing an eclectic mix of genres ranging from folk to rock n' roll, results in Petrella's one-of-a-kind take on the all too familiar human element - the waltz with temptation. "Dancing with the Devil" is now available on iTunes.

"Dancing with the Devil" opens with a deep, powerful bass line that guides a guitar riff comprised of delicate minor chords throughout the song. The darkness and eeriness of the melody is coupled with the sweet and rich voice of Petrella, which forms a beautifully stark contrast in tones. It's this contrast that articulates the alluring nature of the dance with the devil and what he represents - desire. The lyricism articulates this image, describing the dark angel with a "seductive disguise" and a "burning smile" that, despite his corrupted soul, are ultimately enthralling for the human spirit. This symbolic manifestation of desire follows you everywhere until you finally accept his dance, which is confirmed in the bridge when Petrella's sultry voice repeats, "spin me around." Succumbing to desire is what makes us human, and is as exciting as the drum beat mimicking a racing heart. Sometimes it feels so right to be wrong, and this sentiment is felt not only in the compelling guitar solo, but moreover in the finale when Petrella exhibits her impressive vocal range. "I wrote it about those moments when you know someone is bad for you and you're making the wrong decision, but your heart is just too strong that you do it anyway", say Sarah. "Dan and I envisioned this song to be as sexy as possible and just lay the rock n roll to right out on the table". Producer Dan Kalisher helped to spark Petrella's musical creativity as she was awed by not only his innovative energy, but also amazing musicianship. "Dancing with the Devil" along with the rest of her forthcoming EP were recorded at Echo Underground Studios.

Born and raised in Encinitas, California, Sarah Petrella has been actively experimenting with music since the young age of six, dabbling in both musicals and personal songwriting. She soon realized that the stage was her home when she performed in a country band known as "Most Wanted", where she won the CMA competition for Best Vocal Group, prior to her early teens! Her talents eventually took her to Nashville where at age sixteen, she began to record in a professional setting. While her voice and style were initially a down to earth form of country, other musicians who would come to mold the Petrella we know today, include Judy Garland, Shania Twain, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, to name a few. Her current style is reflective of a variety of inspirations that include blues, rock and country. Petrella's impeccable vocal skills echo this variety as she moves from soft and sweet to commanding and powerful in the matter of seconds. Back in Los Angeles, Petrella has tapped more into her rock roots as she graced the stage at the House of Blues, Room 5 and many more.

Sarah Petrella's broad and diverse musical interests have provided her with a different style - one based on versatility in both vocals and tone. "Dancing with the Devil" is a dazzling and mesmerizing artistic execution that emphasizes the artist's remarkably traversing voice. Download "Dancing with the Devil" on iTunes today and visit her online at www.SarahPetrella.com. - top40-charts.com

“Spin me around and around,” Sarah Petrella commands during the bridge of her bluesy new single, “Dancing with the Devil”. It’s not only a command, but a sort of dare. The tension builds as she repeats the line, and it’s only released when a biting guitar solo cuts loose.

If there’s a sense of danger here, it’s because the devil isn’t the demonic character of old. He’s the one with the burning smile, watching “you in the darkness of your slumber.” Petralla’s in full command of her voice here, that’s part country, part blues, but mostly it’s just confident and soaring.

The radio-friendly sheen slightly of underscores the dark-blues vibe, but that’s only a minor quibble. Most listeners will find “Dancing with the Devil” to be a raucous slice of old school rock and roll.

Take a listen to “Dancing with the Devil” below: - Music Blogger Matt Satterfield: Leading Us Absurd

What’s next for Sarah Petrella?

I write and play music everyday so I can continue to strengthen myself as an artist. I have an upcoming show at the House of Blues Foundation Room in Hollywood April 20th. And my music video of “Time Stands Still” is currently being edited and we should have a release date of the video announced very soon!
- Vents Magazine

Tell us about your first release “Dancing with the Devil”?
So excited to get this first tune out into the world! Been working in the recording studio for about a year now and this is the first track I wanted to put out there. I think it shows a great overall vibe of what my sound is like right now. Little rock n roll a little country. I’m really proud of this song.
Who would you like to collaborate with?
I would love to write with Grace Potter, John Paul White, Glen Hansard, Hozier. Deep respect for these artists, if I could ever relax my nerves enough around them I would be in heaven writing a song with any of them.

Which other genres of music would you like to try? Which ones would you like to avoid, if any?
I have always had my toes buried in country and folk music (even when I’m not going for that sound, its always been there). Really just want to stick to the sound of real instruments and not dive into too much “electronics”. But I appreciate all genres of music.

What sparked your aural addiction?
My dad got me into music when I was really young, he started writing songs with me and my sister when I was about 6. Then, I got into musical theatre pretty quickly and performed every chance I got.

If/When you’re lacking in inspiration, how do you kick start your creativity?
It can really be tough sometimes. Good to relax, and set the mood of my room a bit. Sit down and just free write in a journal about anything going on in my life. Maybe if a few words or phrases stick out to me it will inspire a song idea and I could try to bang something out.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
I can decently hold a conversation in American Sign Language!

Can you tell us a little about what’s next for you?
I’m about to start filming a pretty rad music video for another upcoming release. Shall have both video and record out to everyone early November!

Anything else you’d like to tell your fans?
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening and giving me a reason to do what I do. - Aural Addiction

Recently Sarah Petrella released a 3 song EP titled Summer to the world to demonstrate her talents. She brought in some industry heavyweights as well when she got Geza X Gedeon to produce. Geza is best known for her work on Meredith Brooks’ smash hit, “Bitch.” The tile track of the record, ‘Summer’, is a happy pop song with a hummable chorus that will stick in the listener’s head. This is a song that would fit along well with the current mainstream radio playlist. Sarah then changes it up with her version of the Pearl Jam hit ‘Daughter’. She shows off her voice in ways that Eddie Veder could never. The unique female perspective that she adds to the 90’s classic turns it into a totally different yet just as satisfying tune. The final track ‘Time Stands Still’ is a ballad-esque song that reaches back to her days in musical theater. In my head I see her performing this song on a Broadway stage surrounded by an elaborate set.

Bottom line: The Summer EP is a great introduction to the musical talent that is Sarah Petrella. I have a feeling we will hear more from her on commercial radio sooner than later. - The Indie Band Guru

The first track, Summer, comes from a place where Sarah shows her free spirit. It’s lighthearted and airy, boasting a memorable chorus that you’ll be humming away. Next up, Time Stand Stills takes Sarah’s experience in musical theatre to the forefront with powerful vocals, passion-filled lyrics and an array of instrumentals, including a violin solo that is truly breathtaking. The last track, Daughter, is a brilliant cover of the Pearl Jam classic. It was a bold move to cover such an iconic band, but Sarah exceeds all expectations by turning the song into a beautiful, female-inspired version that is vocally strong and full of raw emotion.

Overall, Sarah is not just a pretty face to stare at, or a beautiful voice to listen to. She’s both– and this album proves it. Talent doesn’t go unnoticed when you have the full package and Sarah Petrella definitely covers all the bases.
- Skope Magazine

I like everything about Sarah Petrella. She's truly an infectious artist that possesses a "Gold Standard" voice, look, songwriting, appeal, talent, vocal passion and overall artistic presence. From start to finish these latest 3 tracks are an impressive short but sweet snapshot of music. The music is warm, marketable, uplifting and very passionate. The pin drop moments are amazing, and her falsetto is to die for. All songs are consistent musical experiences, each one possessing a unique personality, flair and signature groove. Note for note, song for song this catalogue is extremely likeable - very much like the artist herself. - Grateful Web - Cyrus Rhodes

Can listen on the link for the interview with Jiggy Jaguar - KJAG Radio Interview

Singer/songwriter Sarah Petrella has finished recording three songs with veteran producers Geza X (Dead Kennedys, the Germs, South Park Chef Aid, Black Flag, Meredith Brooks, Redd Kross) and Paul Roessler (Nina Hagen, Josie Cotton, the Germs, Gene Loves Jezebel) at the helm.

Engineered and produced by Geza X and Roessler at their Robot Kitten and CityLab Multimedia studios, the three songs include the originals “Summer,” “Time Stands Still” and a cover of Pearl Jam’s “Daughter.” The album is slated for a mid-September release.

“A long-time friend played me Sarah’s demo and I found it so compelling that I had to talk to her,” explains Geza X. Everything just fell into place after that. She started writing great songs. Ben Harper's band stepped up for the recording session. My longtime engineer/coproducer Paul Roessler just finished building a new studio with my friend Josie Cotton. All the elements lined up like magic and kept raising the bar.”

Petrella was joined in the studio by Ben Harper’s rhythm section, Jesse Ingalls and Jordan Richardson. We caught up with Sarah in between takes. Here’s what she had to say: - Running With Scissors

Accomplished producers Geza X (Dead Kennedys, Black Flag) and Paul Roessler (Nina Hagen, Josie Cotton) have teamed up for the new outing by vocalist Sarah Petrella. The engineer-producer duo worked from their Kitten Robot and CityLab Mutlimedia studios. - Music Connection (October edition, page 18)