Sarah Cleaver - THE CLEAVE'S Blog

December 4

Calling all ice ball throwers, snow angle makers, fire place dwellers, and icicle lickers!

We would like to put out a formal apology for the false information that the last show we played would be the last Michigan show of 2005. Alas something climbed into Sarah's tummy and roughed it up before the show so Kate went it alone and did a fabulous job.

But lucky for you and us we found another show and A ONE MAN BAND to truly conclude our first year of formal duo-ship. It is almost our anniversary…so come out and celebrate!! (we are registered at Target and Linens and Things)

friday december 9
9:30 pm xhedos café 240 w. 9 mile Ferndale mi $8
wsg. Our one man band, nicholas koby

new cd, new songs, new choreography, and new bassest!

Also playing: joe reilly (of the long hairz collective)

October 28

We are writing to you from the underground...

There have been a few events that have led us to have to seek asylum in an undisclosed town in an undisclosed state that may or may not look like a mitten.

Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver have assumed alternate identities, purchased outfits from our neighborhood Halloween costume outlet, and headed to a cabin somewhere perhaps far far away or perhaps in your city. (by the way its time to mix your compost it is starting to smell funky). We were very thankful Halloween fell when it did cause people were starting to stare when we would go the store. I think it was really Kate's incessant singing of "If I Could Turn Back Time" but she insists it's part of the outfit.

So what are you wondering could force us into hiding? You guessed it, unconscionable frolicking. Every time we would step outside our house we would be so overcome by the beauty of the changing trees, the brisk autumn air, and the need to hacky sack that we would become wild beasts. Frolicking with a vengeance everywhere we could. Romping through the leaves, singing to the trees, hacky sacking in unauthorized areas. We became out of control and the law knew it. They sent us away to let the victims of our reckless frolicking recooperate and insisted that we undergo a self help program.

It has been two weeks and many hours of Dr. Phil cassettes teaching us, "Trees are our friends but all friends need boundaries". We believe we have paid our dues and are ready to hit the road and engage in controlled frolicking with the trees in your neighborhood, at a respectful distance that is.
We have some a new Live EP, new songs, some great friends to share shows with, and a brand new hacky sack. So come on out and join us for some fall merriment!!

sarah

August 29

I just arrived back home from spending an illustrious month burried in nature up to my elbows at the Michigan Women's Music Festival. I had the great fortune to be in the Carpentry long crew and Recycling short crew where I learned how to put together a mean stage, drive a gal named Bertha, the importance of a good soundtrack while sorting cans and bottles, and also the art of cultivating a hearty appendage of splinters. I can't wait to show you how I can incorporate these things into our stage performance.

This month was full of self discovery and romping in the wooly wilderness. I look forward to sharing stories with you all soon on our upcoming tour!!!

Grrrrr

Sarah

August 30

"We," formally known as Kate Peterson and Sarah Cleaver, are back at it with an aggressive abandon that would scare the white off a polar bear in a snowstorm.

We have spent a month on sabbatical, away from the warm embraces and melodic congruencies of each other and have reunited in the bosom of the Michigan mitten. Because our fair state still will not allow non-romantical life mates to marry, we have decided to take our own more formal steps toward folk duo unification. This process is shockingly like marital bliss, without the frolicking around the neighborhood with a big rocks on our fingers singing, "I am Jenny from the Block" while flashing the bling around.

As you may notice we have united email listings for the long haul, or at least until one of us runs away to join the nunnery with Julie Andrews singing "the hills are alive" while twirling our skirts around. Thank god we both look fabulous in black.

We are jumpin out of our trousers in excitement because we will be seeing you all again soon!!! Our longest tour yet is approaching and we hope that you are waiting with batted breath to witness our new songs, circus routines, and merchandise in the flesh.

Be there or be a square,

Sarah

June 19

***JUST RELEASED***

Lake Lansing State Journal: June 15, 2005

Lansing area folk-rock duo, Sarah Cleaver and Kate Peterson, recently found lost after wading in the boundary waters of Lake Lansing for almost two weeks.

Duo rescued by a stray Saint Bernard they call "Lassie" after a harrowing two weeks at sea. When asked how they ended up circling Lake Lansing for so long they stated, "We set off on a leisurely afternoon of canoeing and canoodling that just turned into a reenactment of the movie ALIVE without the snow, starvation, maintains or airplane."

Cleaver told reporters that the first few days were the hardest because Peterson incessantly rocked the boat side to side for entertainment to see how long it would take for Sarah to blow her cookies over the edge. They sustained themselves on small water foul they trapped in a net they fashioned out of hair pins. Peterson was quoted as saying, "Thank god we found some packets of barbecue sauce in the boat, it really made the foul a tasty treat every day. We both hope to incorporate it into our weekly dining."

As for if this will inspire a new song? There is only one way to find out...

June 12

I have been dreaming of red skies and lightening.

Playing frisbee after dark and staring at the blue sky picking giraffes out of the clouds all sustain me these days.

Summer has come and I am working my body and mind thinking and landscaping every day. Also trying not to get attacked by the friskey squirls that inhabit Ann Arbor. One of them I like to call Franchesca makes eyes at me every day while conducting some sort of mating ritual. I will keep you updated.

I am missing the road and sharing music with you all, even though we have set out for short stretches of time.

I am yearning for the longer touring time in fall: full of rest stops and butt tag in parking lots and singin our hearts out once again (not that we aren't now its just different when your main audience isn't your neighbor's furry companion that likes to sing along).

I will be working at Michigan Women's Music Festival on the carpentry crew this year which is extremly exciting! I hope to fashion a boat out of wood and gather two of every kind of festival goer and set out on the open seas. Perhaps we can find the pirate booty together.

Ahoy matties!

sarah

April 8th

A whole month has flown through my fingers and I think I forgot to blink.

Just got back from three weeks on the open roads of the east coast and finally felt my chest open up and breath in the spring air. Funny. We left Lansing March 23 and drove through a precarious ice storm that led to us having to tackle some hard conversation topics like if one of us dies would the other one eat them to stay alive and what sorts of condiments would be needed to do this. Then ended the tour with 80 degree weather in NC which led to conversation topics like if i would get naked in the middle of this parking lot would kate bail me out of jail with tour money or indentured servitude.

These past few weeks have been pretty introspective for me and i have been doin a lot of writing and shaking of thoughts out of my noggin. It has been good to spend some real time with myself figuring out what my heart is trying to tell me and putting it on paper then translating those words into songs. Or shall i say fragments of songs that i am now piecing together to create my first full length musical staring nick and jessica from Newlyweds. Since their show is being canceled i thought i would throw them a bone.

For real... the time in the car and being surrounded and challenged by people that i love have inspired some new stuff that i am yearning to share with you all.

Until summer...

sarah

March 8th

It seems that I only write from the warm bossom of our Lansing home.

There have been brief spells of warmth where I run out and take a few deep breaths to last me though the next few frigid days. I hope you all are staying nessled in your own respected bossoms waiting patiently for spring to blossom.

We just returned from what I call the belly of the cheesy beast in Wisconsin where I indulged in some cheese shaped coozies that bring a smile to my face everytime i drink a beer from them, which is also a great way to achieve short term warmth. We have had some fabulous shows and are lookin forward to headin East and South again to rip it up in new territory.

We are drawing the Torch Song Evolution to an end and are thinking that we will have no name for the next leg unless you call one out from the crowd and it sticks like glue such as, "the lets get down with our bad selves tour."

There has been alot of personal transformation and growth in the life of Sarah Cleaver these past few months and I am just now channeling them into song so you are guaranteed some new ditties very soon and i am still workin out a few old ones in new ways.

Come out and see us and give a cheery hola!

Sarah

February 7th

Almost to Valentine's Day and I have cupid in my bullseye. I've also got some warn fingers, a full heart, and a belly full of indigestion from life on the road.

We are on a brief hiatus from pounding the proverbial asphalt and heading to Chi town in two days to rock it like Oprah rocks it with Steadman (maybe they will come to a show and give away gifts like that one episode a year when she gives away all her favorite Christmas gifts to the audience and people ohh and ahh over Martha's pre-jail goodies).

The Torch Song Evolution thus far has been fabulous. I couldn't ask for two better touring companions than Kate a.k.a Katina and Jasmine a.k.a. Jackie who are constantly making my sides ache from their witty banter. Look for the comic book they are creating coming to a bookstore near you. I am Sly, the disgruntled back seat passenger they pick on, if you are wondering how I fit in the picture.

Every place we have played at thus far has been wonderful from the ladies of Time Out, to the house party in Philly, to returning to the place of my birth in South Bend IN, it all was magical.

So let the games continue....still hunkering down in the Midwest looking for odd jobs (check the ad designed by katina and jackie) and touring. We are coming to an east coast town near you in March and April so batten down your hatches.

over and out.

sarah

December 4th (or thereabouts)

I have discovered that jobs are like fiber, they keep you regular.

I am now a vagabond doing odd jobs, roaming the country, gearing up for tour time, and searching for purpose.

I spent two weeks in Portland trying to decide if moving there was a good next step in a few months and fell in love with the city and so much more... Just have to make some life decisions about what role this whole music thing will play in my life and what community I need to surround myself with in order to sustain myself.

Now I am in North Carolina catching up with friends, working, writing, and finding words to go with all the emotions that have ripped though my life in the past few months. There was this surplus that caused a backup on aisle 5 and the toilet paper display sucked up all the guava juice and now I am sifting out the wreckage.

Kate and I are in the final stages of working out our joint demo cd that will be available in January so hang on to your hairpieces cause it'll kick up a revolution inside you, or at least settle your indigestion.

Have a few surprises to debut on tour so check out the dates...more and more are coming to a town near you so stay glued to your short wave radio.

sarah

September 20, 2004

Fall is creeping in and I just found my bathing suit.

Thanks for all your encouragement to keep writing blog entries. I will be more faithful, I promise. I am spending my days ending my job in Michigan and planning for the future. I keep having dreams where I am on a slip and slide and there is no end to the ride in sight and I am just naked coasting down this long yellow rubber sheet. Scary yes, an omen, perhaps. I am trying to stay clothed in public places and staying away from yellow objects.

I have been quite productive this month and have finished a new song (that will be available on this site as an MP3 shortly) and have begun recording my demo. I have been spending long nights in Kate’s den of asphyxiation (better know as her soundproof/ closet-like nook) with headphones on making up songs about her delinquent cat and my issues with gas. Along with those special ditties I am recording 4 previously unrecorded songs that will be available to you soon.

Kate and I have also begun to plan our winter wonderland tour. So if you all have any ideas/contacts at colleges or other venues in the mid-West, North Carolina, or Atlanta that would like to hear us play let us know and we will get them a press kit.

Other big news is….I am possibly opening up for Bitch (of Bitch and Animal) on Oct. 2 at the Creole Gallery. It will be a fabulous show so come on out!

August 23, 04

i have been a blog slacker....this is not excusable.

I am in boulder colorado at the moment being held by the quiet safety of the public library. I am about to attend an admissions meeting at Naropa (a college where i can let my inner hippie light shine while getting a masters degree in engaged buddhism). This is a culminating experience of a week and a half long traveling journey here which began at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. This festival and the past week or so were filled with the inspiration and kicks in the ass that I have needed to keep writing and getting gigs. So alas I am recommitting to all of you (because as we all know by coming to look at my web site we have shared a moment and are now loosely married in five states) that I will keep being my best singer songwriter self. This means A) coming out with a demo of 4 songs previously unrecorded 2) for real trying to tour around colleges, bars and what not in the midwest and beyond this winter 3) keep pushing to write good socially conscious songs that let you all into my life and the lives of others in new ways (you may even learn why my favorite shirt smells like caterpillar dung).

So thanks for stickin there with me and I will let you all know when the demo will be out and any other life altering musical decisions that may arise.

sarah

May 14, 2004

I just attended an intense three-day writing/performing/social justice workshop with Holly Near at Leaven. At this event I was able to connect with some fabulous women that do this whole socially conscious singer/songwriting thing professionally (including Pat Humphires and Sandy O. {Emma’s Revolution} of Swimming to the Other Side fame). It was awesome to be able to perform for these women and hang out with them talking and thinking about what it would be like for me to dedicate myself to this work full time. I feel so inspired from hearing the stories of these women and just knowing that they exist.

In light of these conversations and other life decisions I have decided to spend the next few months consciously writing and more deeply thinking about what my future as a singer/songwriter is going to look like. So sorry that I won’t be playing too many shows but if you are going through some sort of withdrawal and are in the neighborhood stop on by and I would be happy to sing you a few ditties.

In other news Kate Peterson and I have been singing and playing a lot together and are thinking of recording a few songs for you all which we will give to you in exchange for your first born.

In a final note as part of this crazy attempt to more clearly figure out my life I have shaved my head so that when ever I rub it I am reminded to sit in silence and reconnect with myself and my journey. Check out the pics in the gallery of that festive occasion where some friends collectively shaved my humped head under the direction of the head mistress of the clippers Carmen Paradise. I am told the mohawk accentuates my natural tones and highlights.

I am also kicking around the idea of moving to Austin, TX in December so if anybody has any suggestions about connections you may have or words of wisdom I would love to hear them.

PEACE

Sarah

January 28, 2004

The big 24 and so much more. Today the life of Sarah Cleaver got one full year longer… and boy are my legs tired. Reflecting on this last year of my earthly existence I have decided that it has been quite the doosie in terms of the development of my life as a singer-songwriter. With your help, and some good ass kicking, I have been fortunate enough to accomplish many of the goals I had set for sharing my music with a larger community of people. Some fabulous news came yesterday from the mouth of my web-mistress, g-rod rep., and buddy Katherine Marie Peterson. She excitedly informed me that Borders book store has taken me on as a client and what could be more glorious than that you may ask???? Goldenrod (the largest women’s music distributor in the U.S.) has taken me on too!!!!! Which means those lovely ladies will promote and sell my CDs. I am off to Kalamazoo to throw a few back with friends and see ANI DIFRANCO! Perhaps she will hear that it is my birthday and invite me onstage to hump her leg.

Dec. 31, 2003

....half-naked, snow up to my armpits in Utah waiting for the new year to
blow my pants off.

Here I sit in an internet cafe deep in the heart of Mormon Country in Park
City Utah (outside of Salt Lake City, some may call it the Mormon Mecca).

Have spent the past four days hurling myself down the steep-ass Rocky
mountains in an effort to prove to my friends and relatives that I really am
agile and the eleven years of gymnastics really did pay off. Well they did
pay off when I was in the midst of tumbling down the mountain screaming the lyrics of "Like a Prayer" by Madonna just to stay calm (a suggestion of Paul the ski instructor who is now my new bestie) trying to land on my feet pretending to be Nadia Cominici getting a perfect 10. I have also realized that the eight person chair lift is a great place to make new friends, trying to convince them that I really am famous and that they really should buy my CD. Helles they are trapped with you for about ten minutes and there is no escaping unless they jump and risk plummeting to their death on the side of the mountain.

Some of the folks that came here with me and myself have taken to getting in the hot tub behind our house until we start sweating and then running out of the tub and rolling in the snow for as long as we can take it and them jump back in the tub before hypothermia takes our life, drinking beer or other alcoholic beverage during this process is highly recommended. We do this a few times in a row until we can no longer feel our legs, trust me it is a good time and may result in me writing a new song, "Bakin and Cakin", coming to a show near you.

So needless to say this adventure has proven to be a good time and has
provided some quality material for this blog so what more can a girl ask
for.

Hope you all have had or will have fabulous ridiculous New Years.

The Cleave

Dec. 23, 2003
(deep in the heart of festive holiday cheer trying to escape the belly of the beast)

by the by spellin just ain't my thing so sorry for the possible unreadableness of all this in advance.

Hello friends. Just wanted to give you the heads up that I will be more faithful with writing intriguing blog entries but have just been busy piecing other things together first.

First off I would like to give a big thanks to Dan Blocker who put this site together and also Kate Peterson my current web mistress who is has taken up the task of beautifying it even more. You all rock!

On with the abbreviated version of the last few months.....

We shall start with the finishing of the album and the tour that succeeded it....It was great, stressful, relaxing, and inspiring all at once. We hit Atlanta, Greensboro, NC, Allentown, PA, and Philly playing a total of 8 shows. We got to reconnect with fabulous friends and came to the conclusion that well... we will always play better with beer in our tummies.

Upon returning we had a festive Cd release party (all planned by the honorable bizzidy babs, who just may be my manager but we are in negotiations). Bunches of people came out to the Creole Gallery and had great food and good times and I hear the music was good too. I even gained a stalker!

I as of now continue to attempt to bail myself out of debt slowly but surly by playin some kick ass shows and sellin some CDs (which by the way I can not express how extremely grateful I am to all of you who have purchased CDs.) and keep checkin the web site for more info on upcoming shows and rodeos.

Happy Holidays to all and I promise these entries will get even more festive! I even tried to eat a poinsettia to see if it would injure me like it does to animals just to get a good story but alas just a good poo (and whats new about that?)

Sarah