Sarah McLeod has landed. Finally. It has taken this raven haired, bright eyed girl from Adelaide one solo studio album, one live album, an EP, two dance releases and an international tour de force to get here but there is no doubt that she is here with a sparkle in her eye and a tale to tell. This is an artist who – fresh from the clubs of New York City – is the embodiment of what happens when you mix a little dance, a little pop, a strong serving of driving electro beats, a personal journey of gigantic proportions and the ability to have the strength to admit that despite what you may have said in the past: It’s ok to finally admit that you are a pop girl at heart! What ultimately defines Sarah McLeod is that she is undefinable. She likes it that way. Most importantly she has embraced her inner entertainer and while it has not been an easy expedition, is enjoying a new sound and newfound goal: To bring her message, music and attitude to the fans with conviction and dynamic new show.

”So many people dog on pop. I’m guilty of it too. I have always known that pop was my strength but I shied away from it cause I thought it wasn't cool. But then I worked out a way to make it cool, to make it mine.” While the forthcoming album is yet to be titled, Sarah’s first single “ Tell Your Story Walking” is a summer anthem in celebration of overcoming personal doubt. Of taking risks and finding personal peace with that. "This song is a metaphor for what I have been through over the past few years and all the shit that I have battled and all the doubt that I have swallowed in order to carry on and not let anyone chink my armor. The music industry is a beast, but like any animal, it can be tamed with persistence. This song is a journey of overcoming personal doubt to reach a place of pure self belief.” While Sarah has enjoyed an exciting experience with her new UK, European and US fans. It is the ones back home that she is most grateful for and bursting with excitement to be bringing home her new album.

"The grit of Beauty Was A Tiger still remains with Tell Your Story Walking and the new album, I don’t think I could make a record without it, it’s just not me. It may be less ‘band heavy’ but its no less attitude heavy. I’m still a hustler … in killer heels”.

The Journey

Sarah’s first solo album Beauty Was A Tiger was released back in 2005. Essentially a ballsy rock record, she embraced a very public persona of “The rock chick” and set about singing fiery rock anthems to her fans. The hugely successful party song “Private School Kid” became a radio smash and paved the way for Sarah to undertake a national tour to support the release. Unfortunately as is becoming more and more prevalent in the music business, Sarah’s album was caught in a record company takeover, which left the artist with huge debts and dropped by her label. With no choice but to soldier on, she decided to take maters into her owns hands: “I had no choice really. It’s just who I am. It’s what I do. I wasn't going to let anything hold me back from what I knew I could achieve. I had to start the race again in a really crap grid position. Big deal, any race can be won from any position if your attitude is right." The result was the international dance smash “He Doesn’t Love You”. The Hook n Sling remix collaboration that fast became a worldwide smash hit in the clubs and radio worldwide, leaping to the #1 spot on the ARIA Club Charts. The single was the highest selling international release for the Renaissance label that year.

It was at this point that Sarah decided it was the right time to depart her Australia for a journey that needed to happen. So travel she did. In search of a covenant of gigantic proportions that even she wasn’t completely sure she would find. First stop was Miami. Sarah accepted an invitation to record with the legendary Jimmy Douglass and cult urban pop guru ill Factor. The recording sessions were fast and demanded more of this artist than she could have ever imagined. It was about 2 days into the session when Sarah first heard words from “The Senator” that motivated her to keep pushing her limits: "You’re really holding your own in here, I haven’t seen anyone write that well on the spot since Jay Z". While she was proud of what she had accomplished Sarah still felt that she had more to say. It was as though a creative Pandora’s box had been opened and she couldn’t fight the beast: "I suddenly found myself writing better material than I ever had. I spent about 14 hours a day working out of my basement flat in North London refining my songwriting and production skills. I was the most focused I have ever been in my life. I wrote all the singles during this period, back to back. Tell your Story walking was the first one I wrote there.“ For this artist it was now her duty to answer the call. Sarah spent the most of 2008 touring and writing all over the globe. From NYC to London to Paris, Spain, Italy and even Brussels she would play the clubs and then go back to her flat and write. "When departing Brussels the customs official wouldn't let me through. I’m listed as a singer on my visa, so he said I had to prove it. I launched into a version of "Till There Was You" by The Beatles, and as I sang I started to think, if I’m going to do this, I might as well put on a show! So I stood up on a chair, turned to the customs cue and sang at the top of my lungs. It was so strange but pretty funny, everyone applauded and I was allowed to go through." Sarah felt a strong calling back to the underground clubs and began embracing the UK dance scene where she had developed a whole new legion of fans. Her 2008 UK dance promo release “White Horse” went UK Official Club Chart #8 and was supported by Radio 1. Once again Sarah received amazing support from international club DJs and new fans alike, which packed out her London shows. The success of her recent US release of “White Horse” was something that could never have been foreseen. The dance single has enjoyed 19 weeks on the Billboard Dance Airplay chart. With a HP of #14, Sarah McLeod and Kylie Minogue are the only Australian artists to achieve this level of success in the history of the Billboard Dance Airplay chart. Armed with a whole new catalogue of demos, attitude, performance and excitement for her crusade... Sarah McLeod – poster girl for the hustle - was now ready to complete her album. The one she truly wanted to make. Enter 2009. The year where Sarah finally met her musical partners in crime in the Questionable Intent boys from Brooklyn. Known to their families as Free and Jimmy James, Sarah spent day and night in the Brooklyn studio in a complete creative nirvana. Sarah’s musical risks were paying off and she finally earned her cred as a producer in her own right. In the city… New York word travels fast and Sarah was soon asked to produce, write, play guitar and collaborate with the QI boys for hot new and established artists alike, including Mike Posner, The Game, 3OH!3, Missy Elliot. Sarah’s goal as an artist with her new album is to deliver a classic pop album with grit. To campaign her belief that pop music doesn’t have to be faddish or sugar coated. Rather that killer electro beats and driving production should be supported by lyrics that stand for something and universally connect.

Her regular My Space posts and Twitters over the past few years have been integral in the process, as she wanted to engage her fans to feel part of her musical crusade. It was through the endless supportive messages and mail that Sarah felt driven to unleash a more honest, musically experimental and charismatic Sarah. Entertainer. Lyrical stylist. Sorcerer of a juxtaposition of both empowering electro anthems and Heart breaking ballads. This girl is hell bent in taking everyone on an electric touring journey through 2010 that is all about embracing your inner attitude. Getting dressed up. Pressing play and having a splendid time! This is not just a break up single ladies and gentleman.. It’s a message for everyone. “Tell Your Story Walking” has many meanings, but most importantly: know that Sarah is singing it for you.

Her forthcoming album is due out in Australia 2010 through her own label (Roustabout Records).