Sarahtonin

Sarahtonin is a Portland-area experimental folk-rock group formed in 1997. The group begins with four former suburban music store employees: Sarah Jane Burke, Ryan McPhaill, Sarah Tiedemann and Richard Harris. Their early rehearsals involve improvised versions of songs such as “Hotel California” and the “Rocky and Bullwinkle” theme, played on kazoo, tambourine, organ and upright bass. The band later records in Sarah Jane Burke’s studio.

Line-up and instruments

Sarah Jane Burke plays guitar, bass, keyboard and provides vocals described as raspy bellering; Ryan McPhaill plays drums and percussion; Sarah Tiedemann plays flute, bass flute and piccolo, and sings; Richard Harris plays guitar, bass, sitanjo, mandolin and harmonica, and also contributes celebrity impersonations. The group is joined on recordings and performances by Marty Jennings on violin, Tom Cheek on bari sax and bass clarinet, and Erin Pasco on oboe.

Style and recordings

The group’s sound is described as quasi-psychedelic jazzy folk-rock. Its recording Wayward becomes the band’s best-known release and earns critical acclaim when it is issued several years after the band forms. A second CD, Angel Food, is also in progress according to the group’s account.

Related work

Outside the band, Sarah Jane Burke becomes a registered nurse. Sarah Tiedemann works as a professional flutist, flute teacher and booking agent for classical musicians. Ryan McPhaill performs and records with other ensembles in the Portland area and teaches drums. Richard Harris works as a highly sought-after multi-instrumentalist for live and studio work.