Sarah Joyce – stage name Rumer – has come a long way since winning the school’s talent show back in 1994. In 2010 She released her debut single Slow and saw it named single of the week on Radio 2.
According to the Slow Songfacts, Sarah spent the early years of her life in Pakistan, where her father was the chief-engineer of the enormous Tarbela Dam, 30 miles to the northwest of Islamabad. The youngest of seven children, living in an expat colony without TV or newspapers, Rumer and her family would often sing and write songs together. Her brother Rob gave Rumer her first guitar; which she taught herself to play, and on which, years later, she wrote all the songs on her debut album, Seasons of My Soul.
The singer/songwriter spent her teenage years in Carlisle at Newman School before leaving at 16 to pursue her ambition. It has been a hard slog but years later she is finally hitting the big time and gradually becoming a household name. She now hopes her success will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.
Having had her single listed ahead of its release on both Radio 2 and Magic FM, she is also preparing to support Jools Holland on his UK tour this autumn – the finale being a show at the Albert Hall.
She also has a celebrity fan in the form of easy listening legend Burt Bacharach, who invited her to sing for him when she visited California.
Simply awesome! The band were really tight and the backing singers on the money. Sound balance was the best I've ever heard at a live gig and all the songs sounded much better compared to the over produced album.
However, above it all, was that voice.......quite magnificent. A privilege to be there. I don't think anyone has ever sung Alfie as well as that. Her version of Sara Smile will have to be her next single release. Sarah.... you made me smile.
Beautiful experience
Oxford, New Theatre, 26/03/2011
Seeing Rumer in what (I believe) was her first major tour felt like being present at a momentous and unique occasion: either she will go on to become a huge megastar, where the possibility of sitting so close to her at a concert will be almost impossible or she may fade away like so many artists in which case we will be some of those lucky few that enjoyed a magical evening.
The support act was unassuming and led you gently into the main attraction. In retrospect they were an important addition...
Best Day of My Life!!!!!!
London, Half Moon Pub, Herne Hill, 10/09/2010
I saw Rumer at the Half Moon Pub in Herne Hill, I travelled from Bridgend in South Wales with my 18 year old daughter after hearing her on Radio 2 over and over - I went from despair at not getting tickets for the Bloomsbury on the 14th to absolute heaven when I tracked her down to the pub. I have never been so blown away by a voice before.....I am 53 years old and it was the first time in my entire life that I felt like I did that night!!!!!!
To be in such a small venue with so few people - m...