Pretty Gritty

What do you expect when you go to a live concert? Do you go for the concerts that are more of a show or do you prefer the up close and personal gigs with the band who is more worried about the music than the backdrop of their stage? If you like it up close and personal, then Blaine and Sarah is the band you want go see. The duo played Friday, February 11th at a bar in Fredrick, Maryland called “The Cellar Door.” After reading this review, if you appreciate good, correction, GREAT music, then you better be asking only one question, “When do they play next?”

Blaine and Sarah, is made up of Blaine Heinonen and Sarah Wolff of Rockville, Maryland. They have been playing together around two years now, and let me just state that I hope, and you should hope, that they continue to play for years to come. Ridiculous, is one word that stands out when I reflect upon their talents, both vocally and with their instruments. Their sound can be described in a few different ways ….Country, Soul, and Folk. Their “weapons” of choice are two acoustic guitars and a Djembe Drum. Sarah strums the Martin Acoustic, and Blaine is armed with the Gibson Acoustic. There songs vary from just one singing to both of them performing a duet. There shows have varied from a full band show, to just the duo performing an acoustic gig.

On Friday night there gig was a three hour set. The set averaged with about 25-30 songs, with 5-7 original songs. A great cover song that stood out was a duet, with two songs mashed into one, “Im Yours by Jason Mraz, and “No One by Alicia Keys.” Being able to mix two songs to make it sound like one song sound that good, just shows the talent they have. In regards to their originals, well what can I say…….hmmm let me think……..ok got it, EPIC! The originals they played were “Scorned”, “Old Train Whistle”, “Out in the country”, and “Cheating Ways.” These originals are evidence that I can comfortably say that Blaine and Sarah will be huge one day. No doubt about it.

In the end, I can go on and on about their show and talents, but the only way you can really believe me is by seeing them yourself, which I highly recommend. I suggest the sooner the better because they are going to be huge any day, and I know I would love say “Hey I saw them perform once before they got big!” You won’t be disappointed, guarantee. Since you are about to ask “When do they play next?” I’ll go ahead and fill you in. Their next show is March 12th, 8pm, at Rockafellas Bar and Grill in Gaithersburg, MD. See you there. - The Lantern - Ohio State University

Soulful Americana -- that's how Blaine Heinonen and Sarah Wolff describe their music.

"It's what's coming out of us," Wolff said.

Wolff, 30, lives in Gaithersburg and Heinonen, 29, lives in Rockville.

Blaine and Sarah, an acoustic guitar and singing duo, play together in the Washington area.

They'll play their bluegrass and rockabilly-inspired music, beginning at 10 p.m. Friday at The Cellar Door Restaurant in downtown Frederick. The duo will also play April 22 in Monkey LaLa's, 9009 Baltimore Road, Frederick.

For them, the magic of their music is in the way opposites attract.

"His harmonies help add a bottom to my vocals," Wolff said. "He's the opposite (musically) of me."

Heinonen said, "She's my sandpaper; she gives (the music) a rounder, softer edge."

The two have sung together for two years but have known each other longer. They met about five years ago when each's band played during the same show. As it turned out, the two bands broke up at the same time. They went to open mics and tried out for "American Idol" together.

"He even got feedback from the judges," Wolff said.

Wolff said she was too nervous, but they plan to tryout for another show.

"We're following Simon (Cowell)," Heinonen said, joking.

Cowell was a British talent judge on "American Idol."

Wolff and Heinonen were picked to play on the main stage at the We R Indie Music Conference in August in Knoxville, Tenn. They sent in one of Wolff's original songs.

"She's a great songwriter," Heinonen said. - Frederick News Post