It used to be that one couldn’t live in the relatively small town of Denton, Texas without having heard of local singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe. But now, it’s difficult to find a person in the indie music world who hasn’t run across her instantly recognizeable brand of dusky folk in the last year or so. Her voice is as dark and textured as her eyes are crystal clear, and it’s hard to escape the heady lingering nostalgia of her songs. Since her highly anticipated full length debut Suburban Nature dropped this past May, she’s received seemingly universal critical praise from everyone in the blogosphere as well as features on NPR and USA Today. She’s toured internationally with Midlake, and recently been named on many “Best of 2010″ list for her individual songs, album, or as an emerging artist. I caught up with Sarah last weekend via email to find out what she was up to and to see if she would be leaving Denton anytime soon. Be sure to check out her video for “Clementine” below.

Laurel Kathleen: How have you been adjusting to the sudden barrage of public attention and critical accolades?

Sarah Jaffe: I feel incredibly fortunate to have come even this far. It can be weird sometimes. But fortunately I have the best family, the best friends, and I live in a bad ass town where I will never be cool.

LK: If you weren’t doing what you’re doing right now, where do you imagine you’d be?

SJ: Somewhere trying to figure out what I should be doing. Or fleeing the country.

LK: Your songs and album Suburban Nature have been placed on several best-of lists for 2010. Which one are you the most pleased about and why?

SJ: They really are all a huge honor. Sincerely. It’s crazy to me. I’m really proud of this record despite of how old some of the songs may be. So, it really is so rewarding and a joyful feeling to make any best of list.

LK: Is there a particular song that’s your personal favorite? Is it challenging to perform the same songs over and over again, or are you ever pleasantly surprised by new elements you hadn’t heard or thought about?

SJ: I don’t really have a favorite. There are songs that I have a lot of fun playing live. “Vulnerable” is always fun. I play with amazing musicians that let me pull fast ones on them in shows, and we try and play different versions of these songs. I think that relinquishes any hint of exhaustion with certain songs. But I think its too early in my (hopeful) game to be really tired of playing any song.

LK: You’ve mentioned influences from James Taylor to Broken Social Scene, but is there an artist out there that you are influenced by or enjoy that might be a surprise to your fans?

SJ: I’ve been obsessing over Robyn for the past few years. I love dancing. I’ve always harbored a dream to be an amateur choreographer. So, I listen to a lot of electronic-based music, and also too much top 40.

LK: In your opinion, who or what is metaphorically “dying” in the music industry (genre, style, ideals)? Or perhaps, what should be “killed off” or drastically changed?

SJ: Oh man. Thats a can of worms that I can’t open. Or properly open. Give me some time to start gaining some bitter knowledge and I may have a solid answer. Hopefully female singer songwriters dont get killed off or I’m screwed.

 

LK: What’s your next big move? Any big tours or plans to go back into the studio anytime soon?

SJ: I just finished recording an EP at my home in Denton…to be released very soon. I’m still planning tours.

 

LK: You’ve mentioned how much you love Denton in several interviews. Do you see yourself moving out of Texas anytime soon? If so, where would you go?

SJ: I entertain the idea of moving often. I love New York, of course. The Pacific Northwest is a dream. But I don’t know. Denton is my heart. We’ll see.

 

Sarah Jaffe will be touring Texas for the rest of January, for a full listing of dates please visit her website here. It’s definitely a website worth visiting: not only is the design very hip and minimalistic, but Sarah’s enthusiasm for her work and gratitude toward her fans come through as earnest and charming as her album. Her debut effort Suburban Nature is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and in Barnes & Noble bookstores. Her video for “Clementine” can be viewed below.