Sally Semrad's Alt-Country Road Trip
Debut CD Evokes Journey from Texas Roots to California Cool

Listen to All Things Considered's profile of Sally Semrad.

Sally Semrad Photo: Stanley Recordings Tracks from Semrad's debut CD, Left of Me (IBN: SR103)  "Days and Nights"  "Grace of Angels"

May 6, 2002 -- Sally Semrad says she always dreamed of becoming a musician. So several years ago, she packed up her red guitar and moved from Texas to Los Angeles to follow that dream.

Semrad says she likes living in California, but her debut CD Left of Me seems filled with the people and landscape she grew up with in Texas.

"I have sort of a love-hate relationship with Texas in general," Semrad tells All Things Considered guest host Liane Hansen. "The South is kind, and cold, and limited and beautiful -- all at once."

That can also describe Semrad's style -- part alternative country, Texas style, and part California-style roots-rock, with a voice that is equal parts gravel road and new-laid asphalt.

It seems Texas will always be in her blood and her music. "You don't realize who you are in relationship to home until you leave," she says. "I ended up missing the humidity... and the way people say 'y'all' and 'darlin',' and mean it."

Other Resources

• Learn more about Semrad at her record company's Web site, Stanley Recordings.

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