Sarah Borges and Broken Singles: News

The title of this post refers to a great record by a Boston band called the Tarbox Ramblers, one of those records that proves you don't have to play music loud to play it heavy. Check it out for some late summer listening.
But the title also refers to what were doing in the van right now (ok, so not really, but I'm co-opting it for my own purposes). We're on our way to Lincoln, NE, our second time in that state on this tour. We'll be playing at the Zoo Bar, and we're hoping that some of our new friends from Omaha will make the trek down to Lincoln for the show (hint, hint).
Last night was Denver, at a beautiful venue called the Soiled Dove. We wondered at the name for a while, but someone let us know that it refers to the ladies who populated the bordellos long ago in the original location of the club.
Los Angeles was our Sunday night show, and we love L.A., so a great time all around. We also visited with our California friends, and a little social time outside of the van goes a long way.
Santa Cruz was Saturday night, opening for Jackie Greene. The guy plays everything really well, and Phil Lesh sat in with him. We visited KPIG radio in Freedom, CA on the way there -- big shout out to Carson for the hang and the fresh fruit!
Friday the 13th was our date with Reno, NV. Our stage was an outdoor amphitheater next to a river that you could jump in if it got too hot. Binky and Rob lost $5 each to the slots, while I retired early to catch up on the episodes of Entourage that I've been missing. Ahh, hotel tv.
San Francisco before that, Binky's birthday, and a reunion with Jason , Scott, Alicia and Lance, some San Fran transplants from Binky's high school days in Manchester, NH.
We've been following the heatwave since last Tuesday's show in Portland, OR (100 degrees sometimes), but I think the worst is through. The big green van is doing her job (knock on wood), and all of our interstate signs are for an easterly direction, which can only mean one thing: the SBBS swath is cutting home! Next up, Lincoln, NE, Iowa City, IA, Nashville, TN, Pittsburg, PA, Rochester, NY, and a bunch more. We've also got some great radio broadcasts coming up, check the front page for details.

We are in Portland, OR, at Dante's, about to play our show. We just returned from a glorious weekend at the Vancouver Island Music Fest. It was so beautiful, and the band managed to get some much needed rest and relaxation. We are back to the tour today with Canada and our homebase for the last week, Seattle, on our minds. These past few days have been one of the highlights of the tour thus far.

We are looking forward to the west coast run of the 'Diamonds on the Road' tour. San Francisco will see us tomorrow, and Los Angeles this weekend, along with stops in Reno and Santa Cruz. We are three weeks into the tour, still going strong, with our loved ones at home being the only thing we are wanting for. The music has been great, and we have met so many new people who love music like we do.

Just got word today that we have hit #7 on the Americana charts, after holding at #11 for three weeks. Thanks so much to all who play and request our record. Even if it takes us a while, we'll find a way to come play a show where you are in this great big country.
SB

Today we're in Omaha, NE, a state we've yet to visit. I made a map today of the USA while we were driving in the van, and after today we'll have 20 states left to play in in the continental US. After the tour it looks like we'll be down to 14.

It's pretty amazing driving through this part of the world. Being from Boston, we're used to hills and trees and obstructed views and buildings everywhere. Here it's just wide open, and beautiful.

Last night was St. Paul. Our first time there, and we love the Twin Cities. Played with two great girls, Mary Bue and Meg Ashling. Check them out if you can. Columbia, MO the day before had us at the Blue Note with Devon Allman (yes, The Allman). He was sweet as pie, and we were only sorry we had to go right after our set to make it up to Minneapolis for our morning appearance on their great radio station, The Current (KCMP). And the day before that was Kansas City, Knuckeheads Saloon. Built on the tracks in KC, it's a serious darn roadhouse. Frank, the owner, along with everyone else there is da bomb.

We're tuckered out at the almost two week mark, but we're working hard too, and happy.

Thanks to all y'all for posting on the guestbook. We love to get the notes, and it helps us keep in touch with you too. Keep 'em coming.

Day 5 of the tour, and we're back to one of our favorite cities, Chicago. Last night was Port Washington, WI, a fabulous time had by all, including our old friends Dan, Tammy and co., who came all the way from Springfield, IL, as well as our new friends Dave and Shelley, straight outta Iron Mtn., MI.

For the second summer in a row we saw the beauty of Lake Michigan, which bears a striking resemblance to the Atlantic Ocean back home. Rob and Binky visited a local biker bar with Bob, Erica and Mike, our new Port Washington friends, while me and Mike retired early to watch 'Young Frankenstein' on tv.

Oshkosh, WI had been the day before, where we shared the stage with the legendary Three Dog Night and local legends Mt. Olive. Rob and Binky were out late again soaking up some local color, where they met Lars from Dr. Kickbutt's Orchestra of Death. Seriously. A big shout out to Ashley headlight for making the night run smooth, and also to Jessica, the best merch girl a band could have.

The first show of the tour was Cleveland on a Wednesday night. We could sing the real lyrics to the X song 'Come Back to Me' that we cover truly, as that's the city and the day that it name-checks. Eli Reed and His True Loves from our hometown of Boston, MA started the show off right with R&B and soul excellence. We then vanned it all the way to Chicago in the middle of the night, beating our that city's horrendous traffic, en route to Wisconsin. Not too much debauchery, but then again, it's only day 5.
SB

Buffalo, NY
We left yesterday for what we're affectionately calling the 'Diamonds on the Road' tour. First show is tonight in Cleveland at the Beachland Tavern with some folks we know from home, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and His Trueloves. You can get out of Boston, but you can't get Boston out of you I guess.
It's both daunting and liberating to know that we will be gone from home for so long. It's the longest we've ever been out, but last night we watched a documentary about the band Lucero ('Dreaming in America'), and they are inspiring in a way that only a band who had been on tour literally forever can be.
We had a nice article in 'Paste' and 'No Depression' magazines, which we hope will help spread the good word as we drive across America. Off to Cleveland now, the heart of rock and roll.

In the middle of cd release nuttiness I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for all of the love they've been showing us. 'Diamonds in the Dark' came out on Tuesday, we had a lovely time doing an in-studio at 92.9 WBOS Boston (www.wbos.com). They've been playing our record, due largely in part to the great response from our friends out in listener land. Log on to their website and let 'em know you want to keep hearing more SB and the BS.

We played a great show in NYC at Joe's Pub on Wednesday. I've always been a bit anxious about playing in New York because they're such a discerning crowd, but it went off wonderfully and we can't wait to go back.

Thursday brought us to Philadelphia to tape a show for WXPN's World Cafe Live. It should be airing in the next few weeks, and we'll let you know exactly when just as soon as we get the word.

And yesterday we visited the guys down at WUMD (UMASS Dartmouth). A big shout out to Chris and Peter there, they are old-school college radio djs (lots of vinyl, lots of music love), and we're happy to have met them (www.893wumd.org).

After the visit to WUMD we were off to the Narrows Center in Fall River for the first of our two record release shows. All of my family and friends were there, I danced with my grandma and my parents, and it was a night I won't soon forget. I am truly blessed to have such a great group of people in my life.

Tonight is record release, round two, at Johnny D's in Somerville. It's right near my house in Somerville, and is always a great time. It's kind of our going away party, as we leave for the rest of June and all of July on Tuesday. I'm sure there will be plenty of road stories to come -- the boys and I will keep you updated as we cross the country for the first time.

Again, thanks so much to everyone for all. We know that you make it much more possible (and fun!) through your continued support.

SB

We went to Iowa City, IA this weekend past for the Iowa City Arts festival. In every city we go to we comment on how friendly and giving everyone is. We're city kids, so it's not always the norm for us. Iowa City was no exception. Despite a torrential downpour which dampened (no pun intended) the party spirit of the crowd a bit, the show went on just fine. We made new friends as always, especially Gary, and Tricia and Brad, who offered up a bbq and a place to stay when next we're in town.

It's been a little crazy here in Camp SBBS as we gear up for the record to come out a week from today. I've done a bunch of interviews for radio and press yesterday and today, and can only hope I didn't say anything too silly. We'll be playing live on WERS, 88.9FM Boston, station of my alma mater, Emerson College, tomorrow between 5 and 5:30pm. Then we'll do our friend Joan Hathaway's excellent Three Ring Circus show on Friday June 8 at 5pm on WMBR 88.1FM, Cambridge, MA. And then we're off to the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, NH and Club Helsinki in Great Barrington, MA this weekend. Finally on Sunday I'll be on-air with Larry T from WIKX, 92.9, in Port Charlotte, FL at 7pm. It sounds like a lot when I list it all this way, but not when we're in the middle of it.

For now I'm off to hang out with the cat, watch some Wonder Years reruns, and take in as much as I can of of the summer night scene happening outside my apartment window so I can have it to think about when we're in the van.
SB

Our new record, called 'Diamonds in the Dark', will be released on June 12 in the US. We'll be doing a ton of dates to support it, and so I've decided to start keeping this tour diary. Keep checking here to get new photos, news, etc.

Even though we're not officially on tour until after 'Diamonds' is released, there's stil plenty to mention:

Two weeks ago we went to the Non-Comm conference in Louisville, KY, where we had the chance to meet lots of the radio folks who help us out by playing our record. We played a quick set, and had the pleasure of seeing Fionn Reagan, who's from Ireland and sings like an angel. www.fionnregan.com
I also was especially pleased to make the acquaintance of the guys from WTMD, 89.7, in Towson, Maryland. I sat and talked with Erik and Sam Sessa for a bit, and the audio of the interview is available here
Keep checking back, we'll update every couple of days, and I'm sure we'll have plenty of stories to tell!
Best, SB