Benevolent Apollo by Sarah Rabdau

'The musicians that inspire me most are ones that create beautiful soundscapes and tell a story; like aural paintings." Rabdau counts musicians like Peter Gabriel, Bjork, Tori Amos, Amel Larrieux, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder, and Joni Mitchell among some of her inspirations, citing their unique styles and daring strokes of artistry.

While growing up--on the salty Massachusetts coast and in sunny sweet Orange County, California--Sarah felt that pop music's future could use a little freshening up and she was determined to provide it. So, with this mission in mind, the budding diva stole away to a dusky Boston apartment and began to reformat her sound. When it was time to sit down and write new material Sarah felt the weight of her piano keeping her down, "So I literally dismantled it. How can you grow with five hundred pounds on your back?" She traded her upright for a keyboard and a computer and so began the journey to create 'Benevolent Apollo'.

Co-producer Eric Jalbert and Rabdau spent two long years recording the album on an overworked G3. Several guest artists helped the album to fruition including Waxboy Records' artist [munk] on guitar, Jon Natchez (Skavoovie and the Epitones, The Silent League) on baritone sax and flute, as well as a string trio. The result is luscious combinations of soulful pop, live instrumentation, electronic beats and atmospherics. The album has been praised for its warmth, sexiness, and willingness to challenge the listener.

Sarah Rabdau performs gigs with a full live band consisting of Troy Velazquez on drums, [munk] on guitar, and Dave Rengel on bass. Eric Jalbert rounds out the group with backing beats and atmospheric layering. Sarah also treats listeners to stripped-down sets featuring a cast of characters that could include a laptop, cellist, and guitarist. She has been booked with other singer/songwriters, DJ's, reggae, rock, and hip hop groups and has shared stages with bands like Certainly, Sir, Automato, Violet Nine, and Toussaint of Red Pill.

Before her debut release Sarah started garnering some rather notable achievements. Rabdau played to a crowd of several thousand at the 2003 Gay Pride celebration in Boston. Sarah was also a featured vocalist on a pair of internationally acclaimed dance records by Universal Tongues. Thanks to Sarah's sensual vocals the UT track 'Staticky' was remixed by electronic music producers Timewriter and Klute. Sarah's vocals have been sought out by Chris Fortier and Apollo Alum [munk] for his track 'Kill the Girl to Save the Love'. The track was featured on 'Navy NCIS' on CBS while also gaining a spot on WFNX's DJ Traylor's X-list for over 6 weeks.

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