Biography

The Sarah Mac Band is made up of Sarah Mac, lead vocals, guitar, keyboard and any other instrument needed, Claire Swindell, bass and vocals, and Charlie Vanture, guitar and vocals. Each of them now call Tallahassee, Florida their home but happily travel the south sharing their love of music. Charlie is the ‘old guy’ with over 20 years on both Claire and Sarah Mac. His musical style was formed growing up listening to the Beatles and the numerous blues and rock bands that permeated the old underground FM album stations that thrived in the late 60’s and 70’s. Sarah Mac and Claire grew up later where much of their musical styles were influenced by a variety of groups from the 80’s and 90’s. Their influences are peppered with a veritable cornucopia of people ranging from singer songwriters, pop bands and even the occasional ‘anthemic’ rock band.
Claire, Charlie and Sarah Mac joined together in early 2005 aspiring to create original music that blended these unique styles that each brought to the group. What emerged was the Sarah Mac Band; an engaging combination of blues, jazz, and acoustic rock that has been classified as both Americana and Alternative. The band simply describes the sound as 'jazzy, bluesy, rock with a healthy dose of soul’.

Sarah Mac's voice at times has the full power and grit of Janis Joplin, the sweet, soothing breathy tone of Feist or Edie Brickell, and the gut-wrenching raw tones of an old soul or gospel singer. Paired with Charlie's intricate, sultry guitar work and Claire's solid, intriguing bass lines, this trio will leave you wanting to hear more.

Over the past 6 years the band has built a growing fan base along with a considerable repertoire of original music, interspersed with fresh version of some cover songs, that span a broad range of musical styles. They have created a sound that has been variously compared to the styles of musicians like Sheryl Crow, Adele, Ingrid Michaelson and Joan Osborne. During this time the band has been playing numerous venues and clubs throughout the South and crafting a live show that brings a raw energy that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

The band has released 2 EPs, Countdown to Silence (2006) and Open Fire (2007), and 3 full length albums of original word, Awakening (2008), A Single Revolution (2010), and Static and Signals (2012) as well as a full length live album of covers, Live Covers, Volume 1 (2011). Their newest release, Static and Signals (produced by Ric Hordinski – Over the Rhine, David Wilcox, Phil Keaggy) released in September 2012.

The Band is maturing musically and is steadily becoming more and more prolific in their song writing. They are excited about the future and truly believe their best days are still ahead of them.


"Eclectic and ultra-catchy" - Paste Magazine

"A true Florida treasure.." - Tampa News Weekly

‘They're a welcome sight, as their laid-back, feel-good jam-pop -- think Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, or Melissa Ethridge on vacation -- has earned them spots opening for the likes of Shawn Colvin, Robert Randolph and the Lee Boys, among others.” - Tampa Bay Times Soundcheck