Sarah Sharp

5 mins read
Sarah Sharp. Photo credit: Mark Abernathy
Sarah Sharp. Photo credit: Mark Abernathy

Where I’m Coming From

Compiled by Forrest Preece

Sarah Sharp
Songwriter and Musician

  1. What’s something about you that not many people know?

I have a side project with Andrea Perry called Kaliyo. We do not perform, but we write and produce songs for the Universal Music Production Library, Firstcom. Through that partnership, I have over 200 song placements all over the world in film, TV, and advertising. Some of our most prestigious song placements have been with Chanel, Dell, Kia, Dish Networks, Playboy TV, The TV show Revenge and Netflix’s Cable Girls. We’ve been particularly successful with TV show placements in Europe, including a TV dating show theme song in Poland.

  1. What was your first job?

I babysat from a very early age. . .back when people would leave an elementary school-aged child in charge of an infant. In high school in Houston, I was a bilingual hostess at a high-end South American cuisine restaurant.

  1. If you could have dinner with three people – dead or alive, at any time in history—who would they be?

Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Beyonce

  1. If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be? 

Willis Alan Ramsey’s one record is my desert island album. It’s hard to answer with just 3 artists, but “Bills” by LunchMoney Lewis is my on-repeat song lately. I imagine the majority of Austin musicians would resonate with this tune.

  1. Favorite book and TV show?

Book -- The Alchemist by Paolo Cohuelo. TV - maybe Ted Lasso. That’s a tough question.

  1. Most powerful movie you have seen.

My best friend, Tracie Laymon, just won the SXSW jury prize and audience award for her first feature film, “Bob Trevino Likes It.” It will have a broad theatrical release in the US and worldwide in 2025. This film has an indomitable spirit, and . . . there are actually two stories in the film from my life, one of which happened with Tracie and me together.

  1. Favorite place in Austin? 

My front porch swing or Elephant Room early on Thursday nights!

  1. Favorite restaurant and watering hole

My Local is Lazarus on E.6th. I’m also thrilled about the new Cosmic Saltillo. I adore Intero for dinner. Did you know the Rolling Stones ate at Intero the last time they played in Austin?

  1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Because I grew up in a very musical family, I thought everyone could sing. When I joined the high school choir in 9th grade and heard some people not singing in tune, I realized I wanted to run with singing. It was a handy transition because I had studied at Houston Ballet for years and I was just reaching the end of my will or desire to continue dance training.

  1. Which living person do you most admire?

I cannot name only one. I think of personal friends who have been invaluable mentors -- Jamie Yeager, Neil Blumofe, Debbie Fourrier. I also deeply admire friends who are truly in love in their long-term partnerships and anyone who stays true to their soul’s purpose, no matter the sacrifices.

  1. What makes you happy?

I have an undercurrent of joy and effervescence that I consider my true nature. I am most happy when I stay connected to that.

  1. Best advice you ever received?

My friend Jamie Yeager once said to me at a key moment, “All the best prisons are locked from the inside. We get to be a whole lot more free than we thought possible. The person who keeps you the most hemmed in is you.”