Sarah Potenza, Paleface

From Rolling Stone's 10 Country Artists You Need To Know 2016

Sounds Like: A Janis Joplin-Aretha Franklin hybrid with a mic ... but a Lucinda Williams-Bonnie Raitt hybrid with a pen

For Fans of: Alabama Shakes, B.B. King, Mavis Staples

Why You Should Pay Attention: After Potenza's spellbinding blind audition yielded a four-chair turn on NBC's The Voice, a visibly moved Pharrell Williams told her she was "giving this generation something they've never seen before." Potenza is to the blues what Adele is to pop: a colossal-voiced singer who merges her old-school influences with a modernistic sound. Her new album, Monster, solidifies endless Janis Joplin vocal comparisons but also colors between the lines of Memphis blues, Nashville Americana, New Orleans funk and L.A. punk. Its lyrics are personal and personally therapeutic, as she empowers herself through tunes denouncing industry naysayers and embracing her fuller-figured, boisterous self.

She Says: "It's hard for a size 16, 36-year-old woman," says Potenza of catching a break in the music industry. But she's come to realize those numbers actually work in her favor. "I've never opened a door with my looks. Because I've always relied on my personality and my talent, I've really flourished and feel strong and confident. I don't know how to get someone to buy me a drink in a bar, but I'll sing you a song!"

Hear for Yourself: "The Cost of Living" is like a powerful sermon delivered in a smoky blues club. Beville Dunkerley


Prolific Influential cult-hero & Indie-folk icon, PALEFACE, is now a high-energy and charismatic duo (sometimes trio) featuring girlfriend-drummer Mo Samalot, who adds charming candied vocal harmonies to the mix. The band celebrated the release of their latest album One Big Party (Ramseur Records) with a special guest-performance alongside label-mates The Avett Brothers at Radio City Music Hall, followed by US and Europe tours. Soon after, PASTE Magazine premiered "PALEFACE: The Making Of One Big Party", a short documentary which follows the band as they record the album and tour. Paleface's music video for the album's tittle-track received airplay through several MTV stations as well as satellite & online outlets (VH1, CMT, MTV). And this Winter, Paleface's Mountain Stage performance aired via 130+ NPR stations nationwide and worldwide via Voice of America Satellite Service, and NPR.com. PALEFACE, was schooled musically by Daniel Johnston and soon discovered at an NYC open mic by Danny Fields (The Stooges, The Ramones, MC5). He's released over a dozen records including two major label releases, and has been quoted as major influence and inspiration by a wide range of artists including Grammy Award recipient BECK who calls Paleface a big influence on his early work. Paleface has also collaborated and appeared on three albums by The Avett Brothers. At the moment, Paleface is in the process of writing a new album to record later in the year, and in the meantime he's self-released Multibean Bootleg Vol.3, a collection of raw demos, live performances and outtakes.

Paleface is also a self taught visual artist who's been selling hundreds of paintings at his concerts, art shows, festivals and via his online gallery. Much of what he's learned has come from his interaction and observation of great art while living in NYC. Paleface's main theme is music...He paints string instruments and uses words and lyrics as if he was painting a song.