"Intimate portraits" and social change

“My first musical influences, without a doubt, were my mom and dad,” said singer-songwriter Sara Thomsen, whose soulful voice, poetic lyrics and unforgettable melodies cut through the heart and the soul of human experience.

Born in Sioux Falls, S.D., Thomsen, 37, has lived on both coasts, from Washington State to New York City, but made the move to the Midwest when she realized she needed a smaller town with more green space. Now living in the north woods with her partner, Paula Pedersen, she explained that music is what keeps their home alive. “Ever since I’ve been little, music [has been] at the heart of my house,” Thomsen said.

Northwoods woman
And that love of music rings out loud and clear in Thomsen’s newest CD, “Everything Changes,” an intimate self portrait of falling in and out of love. “When I started looking at these songs-some tucked away in drawers-I found them to be very intimate portraits of my last couple of years,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share these songs but when you do, you help people see they are not alone.”

Speaking from her house hidden in the northern woods outside Duluth, Thomsen said the most important lesson to learn from her songs is the fact that no matter how much things change, you will always come out on the other side.

But sharing her deeply personal side is not the only new adventure Thomsen tackled on this album. She also set out to reach a broader audience by adding a variety of new sounds-and she asked for a little help from her friends.

“The base is Americana folk music but I peppered it with Latin, bluegrass, country waltz, Celtic, old-time swing, jazz and blues,” she explained. “I invited the Three Altos, my singing trio, to sing harmony and the community choir I work with to sing along, as well. The collaboration was fun-I had more colors to paint with.”

The Three Altos, according to Thomsen, always describe themselves as friends first. “While our voices are as different as our personalities, it seems there is something magical that happens when the three of us make music together,” she said. “Our friendship has grown deeper with each chord.”

Created in 2003, the trio’s voices include Thomsen, who is also artistic director; her partner, Paula Pedersen; and rabbi Amy Bernstein. “Each of us, individually, is working to raise awareness about broader social issues,” Thomsen said. “When we sing together, we multiply what we are trying to do by three.”

Voices for peace
In addition to her solo career and the Three Altos, Thomsen’s involved with Echoes of Peace, an audition-free Duluth community peace choir. Brought together originally as a way to ease people’s pain following the events of 9/11, the choir is open to anyone who has a heart to sing and attracts all ages from college students to folks in their 70s. This year, the group is 80 voices strong, practices two hours a week and performs at various community events throughout the Duluth area.

As the choir’s artistic director, she prides herself on the group’s ability to bring the joy of community song back to the people.

“Our choir hopes to use music as a way to spark social change-bring peace to our personal lives,” she said. “Our songs include cultural and spiritual traditions from around the world. Songs of justice and peace, hope and longing and some that are simply fun and full of celebration. Singing opens the heart.”