Sarah Wheeler

Concert Review: "Hitting all the high notes"

Nick Pannu, The Peak

Sarah Wheeler unleashes her mesmerising voice at the Backstage Lounge
The Backstage Lounge lies within a tiny enclave on English Bay just beneath the Granville Street Bridge. Performances at the venue often eclipse the area’s tranquility. One Sunday night a couple of weeks ago was no exception. Bruce Knauer kicked off the night, followed by acoustic mastermind Steve Dawson. Their performance was fulfilling enough to quench the appetite of those seeking out the aura of the Backstage Lounge. Yet it was perhaps the final act of the evening that raised the bar and expectations for live events at the venue. Unpretentious and non-threatening, Sarah Wheeler casually walked onto the stage. Starting her set off a little subdued, then abruptly like an inconspicuous viper poised for the attack, Wheeler effortlessly let her famous high-pitched vibrato loose.

Wheeler’s voice leaves a lasting impression. It’s not uncommon for audience members to cheer their admiration for her voice. Not only able to hold a high note for an extended length of time, Wheeler also incorporates unexpected changes in tone. Audience members were engaged as she started her beat in a mellow capacity, then gradually rose to a high pitch before bringing it down again. Wheeler’s vibrancy and energy is prominent in her vocals, yet her repertoire is versatile. This particular night Wheeler seemed to be making the conscious effort to experiment and showcase ways of communicating musically. There were some uncharacteristic mellow beats that night, whereas on other occasions Wheeler seemed to take a step back as she let her drummer and bass players go.

Wheeler’s range and diversity is demonstrated on her album Black Helicopters. The Vancouver Sun, The Province, and Westender have given Black Helicopters rave reviews not only for Sarah’s voice, but also for the album’s versatility. It starts with a high tempo and gradually progresses to a more subdued, acoustic sound. The tracks also show Wheeler’s talent as a songwriter. While their meaning isn’t explicit, Wheeler incorporates thoughtful similes and metaphors in her lyrics. If there is a point she wants to establish, it’s often implied.

When I spoke to Wheeler about her style of writing after the show, she said, “I tend to take that open-ended approach to my songwriting because the listener will always have a different interpretation.” The nature of songwriting, she said, is to tell what happened then let the audience derive their own meaning. “I don’t try to give any answers.” Taking the journey to one of Wheeler’s shows will be an experience you won’t easily forget.