Conversations with the Inspiring Sarah Slaton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Slaton.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Northwest Arkansas and began playing guitar at the age of 17. That led me to major in Entertainment Management (Music Business) at Missouri State University. In 2008, I was able to get a summer marketing internship with global concert promotor, Live Nation. I fell in love with Denver and moved to Colorado full-time in 2009.

I began working with AEG Live at venues like Red Rocks, The Ogden Theatre, and 1st Bank Arena as a production assistant. I had the chance to work with Prince, Adele, U2, Taylor Swift, and many other large touring acts. The event production world also led me to gigs at Coachella, Bonnaroo, Hangout Festival, and The X Games Aspen which I still work each winter.

During that time, I was also working with a boutique agency in Denver, The Vinefield, booking and managing local acts Take To The Oars, Rob Drabkin, Eldren, and Sarah & The Meanies (Liptruce). In 2014 I was in Austin at South by Southwest stage managing the Colorado Music Party when I was able to connect with SpokesBUZZ, a Colorado based music non-profit. I became their Director of Artist Development and had a chance to be a part of programs that amplified the Colorado music scene and provided opportunities in and out of state for bands.

I was still playing my music throughout the years and in late 2014, I founded a new band, Edison, with my friend Dustin Morris. Maxwell Hughes (a SpokesBUZZ artist and former member of The Lumineers) joined the band in 2015. We had the chance to open for Iron & Wine, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Shakey Graves. In 2016 we signed to Rhyme & Reason Records who released our full-length LP, Familiar Spirit. During our tenure we clocked almost 200,00 miles on the road and played countless shows along the way. The band played our final show in the fall of 2018. Since that time, I’ve taken a step back from music and found my way back to it again. I was able to attend some wonderful songwriting retreats and released my first single, “Dance In The Sun”, a co-write done with producer Lewis Pesacov in Los Angeles.

I’m currently working full time in Fort Collins and playing shows across the front range. I’m also writing music for a new EP. My goal is to balance working with artists and being one myself for as long as I can. Music is my passion and purpose. It’s definitely guided my life and brought me to where I am today.

Has it been a smooth road?
I would not say that the road has been particularly smooth, but I’ve forged my own path in a way that I’m mostly proud of. The music business can feel like a mans world and I’ve navigated my way through that as best I can. I would tell young women starting their journey in any career to trust themselves and never let other people make them feel small. No matter who you are, I think one of the most important things is your network and the support systems you have in place. I would also tell younger artists reading this to make sure they pay attention to the business side of music as much as their craft. It will help you so much more in the long run and help you protect the art that is so important to you.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m most known for being a songwriter, musician, and music advocate. I also book bands at a music series, Live On The Lanes, in Greeley and Fort Collins. I also freelance with ESPN at X Games Aspen each year. I’m most proud of the fact that I help amplify the Colorado music scene through my own music and support of other artists in the region.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I believe women are well positioned to do anything they want in this world. I truly think the sky is the limit and we can push through any barrier or glass ceiling. I think this applies in music, sports, and the corporate ladder.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahslaton.com
• Email: sarahslatonmusic@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamsarahslaton
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/sarahslatonmusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamsarahslaton

Image Credit:
Photos by Kit Chalberg Photography, Backstage Flash, and Nikki A Rae Photography

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