I’m not one to celebrate random national [blank] days except for Pi Day, which calls for pie, but I was happy to observe International Women’s Day (well weekend in this case) with Ms. Sallie Ford.
Let’s rewind. I had the pleasure of discovering her last year when she opened for Deer Tick at Urban Lounge. I tend to get to shows with plenty of time to see the openers because I’ve found some incredible new music this way. When the band took the stage they seemed unassuming, but as soon as they started to play, my ears perked up. They had a fun distinct sound that I don’t hear too often these days.
As with most Urban shows, the “dance floor” was pretty sparse since it was still early. Well, early by Urban Lounge standards. Their first full-length album, Dirty Radio, had just come out so I was quick to snatch that up and kept up with their happenings. I was hoping they’d come back and visit little ol’ Salt Lake City and lucky me, they did.
I arrived early as usual for the show on Saturday, March 9th and guess what? Theplace was already packed. It looks like I wasn’t the only one who found Sallie Ford in the last year. I truly love seeing some of my favorite little bands really blow up and become popular. It makes me happy to see others discover and appreciate the things I do especially when it comes to talent. And boy, does this band have talent.The band consisted of the full-voiced Sallie Ford of course, with the accurate and dance-able band of drummer Ford Tennis, guitarist Jeff Munger, and bassist Tyler Tornfelt, who spent the night switching from electric and upright bass. Have I mentioned how much I love the upright bass? The sound is incredible and adds such depth. If your band has an upright bass, I probably love you.I hear the term “rockabilly” thrown around a lot when talking about Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside. I would say their style is a little bit of golden oldies mixed with rock n’ roll. It’s just plain fun and the band obviously had fun on stage that night. The two times I have seen them they have not failed on lighting up the crowd. The crowd that night was in full swing and the band was on point. Ford and crew didn’t waste any time with a lot of chit chat, which I appreciated. It was one song after another, ranging from slow and sultry to upbeat and wild...
Ford has such an unbelievable voice. She pushed her way through the set, with powerful yet still kind of demure in posture; like I said, a little unassuming. But if you take a listen to the lyrics, sometimes they’re raw, unforgiving, tough, and just downright sexy. No seriously, one of my favorite songs of the show was “Against the Law.” It started off with Ford purring into the mic, “Wanna eat you up like a piece of cake, even if it was the worst mistake, baby, baby won’t you be with me. Wanna suck you up in a straw, even if it was against the law, baby, baby, won’t you be with me…” Get me a cold glass of water, STAT!
While some of her lyrics are full of sexual tension, Ford didn’t feel the need to put on some big show just to prove it. She just showed up with her band and played her heart out. Ford is a much needed change from other female artists that feel the need to have such an elaborate production with back up dancers, twenty costume changes, and provocative clothing. Ford proved the quality of her music and musicianship with her powerful voice and talent that night.
Ford just has this sass about her and that’s why I’m such a fan! Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside makes me want to dance, sing along, and then maybe do a little something dirty later. God I hope my mom isn’t reading this…