Photo from Sarah fan Stefan Hock
I’m usually not very nostalgic, but when it comes to Sarah Records I definitely am. When I listen to some of the songs, especially from the earliest days of Sarah, I can remember exactly where I was and what I did when I heard the songs for the first time.
My opener to the Sarah-world was the compilation “Shadow Factory”, which I bought after seeing that the song “I’m in love with a girl who doesn’t know I exist” by Another Sunny Day was on it. A friend of mine had added this as a filler track on a c60-tape he had made for me, and I completely fell in love with the song. My fan-period with Sarah was from 88-91, and I don’t have that strong feelings for the records that came after. I have however learnt to love some of the later stuff in the recent years, but it’s still the early days that count the most for me.
I was VERY happy when I saw that a documentary about Sarah Records is in the making! The documentary is made by Lucy Dawkins, an independent filmmaker from Bristol, who among other things has worked on the latest video by The School (and who’s currently working on the band’s next video for “Can’t Understand”). While you continue to read, you can open your Spotify (if you have access) and play this playlist of some of my favourites from Sarah Records.
The documentary will include interviews with the founders of the label, Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes, as well as interviews with former Sarah band members, archive footage, photographs and lots of music. Lucy tells us how it all started:
“I approached Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes with my idea for creating a documentary on Sarah late last year. To be honest I did not expect them to be keen to take part as they famously ‘don’t do encores’ and have said in interviews that they are not interested in dwelling on the past. But to my delight they said yes! So I have slowly started to piece together Sarah’s story and have been tracking down anyone I think has something to contribute to the documentary.”
The story continues below this teaser for the movie:
The DIY attitude of Sarah Records has inspired Lucy both in the way the film is being made and how the finished documentary will look. Lucy explains:
“I have been inspired by the ‘spirit of Sarah’ in that this documentary is very DIY – it’s just me making this film and I am relying on the enthusiasm and support of everyone involved to get this documentary off the ground. I have been delighted by everyone’s positive response and am currently co-coordinating interviewees and contributors – as Sarah’s former band members, fans and associates are spread all over the world. My aim with The Story of Sarah Records is to celebrate the music and prove how this little independent label from Bristol communicated to people all over the world and created something very unique and special – unlike any other label I can think of. The fact that even after all this time Sarah has so many dedicated fans is really something to celebrate too.”
From the early stages, Lucy has involved Sarah-fans in the project. She still needs more help from fans of Sarah records, both the ones who were there when it happened, and people who have discovered the label in the later years.
“I need the fans to get involved. Sarah was set up as a label by fans for the fans. I have had a think how the best way to do this is and have come up with this idea: I would like people to records themselves talking about why they love Sarah – it could be a certain song, or as you have said-how the music made you feel, or anything – I’d love for people to get creative. Most people have access to a video camera or webcam these days and being a documentary, the messages ideally need to be visual.”
If you feel inspired and want to show your tribute to the label, you can contact Lucy via her myspace page, via her twitter or by sending an email to sarahrecordsdocumentary AT yahoo.co.uk.
The documentary is planned to be finished by the end of the year.
Pingback: Sarah Records Docu-film | Indie For Bunnies