Listen to the new album from the out Denver singer and her band.
If you haven't already got the folk-pop band Edison on your radar, it's time to do so. The band, which is out of Denver, Colorado, features lead singer/guitar player Sarah Slaton, and she's definitely one to watch with her unique voice and mellow sound. The band's album Familiar Spirit is out September 16.
But what makes this musical trio especially compelling, beyond their combined talents, is Sarah's coming out story, and ensuing activist spirit. Sarah, who grew up as a tomboy in Northwest Arkansas, which she describes as "the thick of the Bible Belt," spent her youth playing with the boys and attending church. "Homophobia was deeply rooted in us and something I knew to be scared of before my first real crush," Sarah recently told Curve. Around the age of 13 she knew she had feelings for a girl. "I spent the following years trying to 'pray' that feeling out of me, and never said a word to anyone. But it never went away."
Bravely, she came out in her freshman year while at college in Missouri. She had a girlfriend and didn't want to keep it a secret. But her roommates, who had been friends since childhood, weren't thrilled by the news. "One evening I came out to them and let them know that I was dating a girl, but hoped for their support. The following day I returned from class to have my RA (Resident Advisor) in the room waiting for me. It was explained to me that my roommates weren't comfortable living with me given my 'lifestyle' and I would need to change rooms. I was mortified and packed my things. There was no coverage for me in non-discrimination policy at the time and I found myself in a corner room at the end of the hall (I kid you not) with fellow outcasts. The silver lining in this story is that I later became the Co-President of BIGALA (Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance) and the organization was able to add sexual orientation to the policy before we graduated."
But Sarah feared her parents would react equally badly, and went back into the closet. "Years later I sat on a park bench with my mother and told her everything between sobs. She held me and said "what kind of mother would I be if I didn't love my daughter for exactly who she is." Days later I received a rainbow "coming out" card with words of encouragement to be myself, and some cash to take my girlfriend out on a date. The rest of my family reacted just as warmly and I regretted waiting to so long to tell them after being rejected at school. I'm so grateful to this day for their unwavering support."
Sarah has been out now for almost a decade, both as a regular person and as a touring musical artist. She's toured nationally, played at various Pride events, and opened for the likes of Sick of Sarah, Chely Wright, Hunter Valentine, Jennifer Knapp, Kristy Lee. Being out and proud has helped Sarah "live a more full and honest life," she says. "There's also been a significant shift in cultural acceptance and LGBTQ rights. I am SO proud to say I'll be able to marry the woman I love someday. How cool is that? The world isn't perfect, but I am incredibly proud to be part of a community that advocates for change and a society gradually willing to accept love as the overriding principle."
Have a listen to Edison's Familiar Spirit now and enjoy that we can claim Sarah Slaton as one of our own!
Watch Edison's video for "Open Road" below!
Check out Edison's upcoming tour dates