Sarah Slean Channels Parisian Inspirations And Frustrations On New Album

Toronto singer/songwriter/pianist Sarah Slean will become The Baroness upon Warner Music Canada's March 11 release of an album bearing that name.

Slean's fifth studio release was co-produced by the artist and I Mother Earth guitarist Jagori Tanna. It was mixed by David Bottrill (Peter Gabriel, Muse). Slean starred in a short film titled Tales Of The Baroness, which aired on Bravo! in 2004.

Just like 19th century composer Frederic Chopin and Doors vocalist Jim Morrison, and more recently Feist and Buck 65, Slean says she moved to Paris in 2006 to write songs and rediscover herself in an inspirational environment.

"It's like when you pick up an instrument you don't understand, you can come up with all these new little melodies. Music is new to you again, and I felt like I had to do that in my life, to start thinking differently, to uproot my philosophies. Where better to do that than in the city of Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir?"

But Slean quickly grew frustrated with her living quarters, which were so cramped that she could touch the edge of her piano, bed and kitchen table at the same time. She says that made it difficult to work, but used the experience to fuel her songwriting.

"In order for me to create, I sometimes need to take myself out of a comfortable situation and return to an ignorance and innocence that is exciting but also rejuvenating."

Slean recorded most of the vocals for The Baroness in her small home studio before moving into various Toronto studios to record with the likes of bassist Joe Phillips, drummer Mark Mariash, organist Dennis Keldie, saxophone player Richard Underhill and a string section headed by Drew Jurecka and Rebekah Wolkstein.

Those eager to hear a bit of The Baroness can check out lead single "Get Home" at Slean's MySpace page. Beginning Friday, fans can enter a contest on Slean's website to create their own video for "Get Home." The winner will win a trip for two to Paris. There's no word on whether it will include accommodation in a cramped apartment.

Those who pre-order The Baroness on Slean's site will receive a download of "Parasol," which isn't on the album.

Slean will play New York City on March 11 and a Canadian tour is expected in late spring.

Here are the tracks on The Baroness:

"Hopeful Hearts"
"Get Home"
"Euphoria"
"Goodnight Trouble"
"Notes From The Underground"
"Sound Of Water"
"No Place At All"
"Please Be Good To Me"
"Willow"
"So Many Miles"
"Shadowland"
"Looking For Someone"