Essex-based singer, songwriter, actor and author Sarah Lindsey’s vocation has taken her from stage to screen and beyond. Kate Everett spoke to her about her incredible career and her forthcoming appearances with her vintage band, The Rockabellas
A stage and film actor, an author of children’s audiobooks, a television performer and consultant, and an accomplished singer-songwriter, Sarah Lindsey has performed with, and for, numerous A-list celebrities and even royalty.
With her roots very much in Essex, Sarah, who lives in Sible Hedingham, explains how she was inspired to bring music from the 1940s alive through her vintage rock band, The Rockabellas, and what fans can expect from their forthcoming Essex dates.
‘I was a child that was always singing and dancing, and I knew from an early age I wanted to sing,’ says Sarah. ‘I’ve written and performed every genre of music, but what inspired The Rockabellas was researching my family tree and finding a connection to the forces’ singer Anne Shelton, who was my grandmother’s cousin. I found my inspiration and knew this was what I wanted to do next.’
Inspired by the close harmony singing of the 1940s, The Rockabellas is comprised of Sarah, Pippa Gearing and Lizzie Deane, combining vintage vocals with cute choreography and pin up couture. The group’s unique style encompasses everything from vintage classics to their own quirky take on iconic pop from the likes of Kylie, The Beatles and even Beyoncé. The group was handpicked by Sarah to create a very distinctive look and sound.
She explains: ‘I knew Pippa and Lizzie from previous work, and when I was looking for band members, our paths crossed. They are both incredible vocalists, and when Lizzie walked in the room looking like Marilyn Monroe, I thought, this is it! Luckily, they both wanted to be a part of it, and The Rockabellas were born.
‘Vocally, it works perfectly; I have quite a poppy voice, Lizzie’s is soulful and Pippa’s is classic, and our voices all work together to create a unique sound. We’ve performed all over the place in everything from television shows to The Battle Proms and The FA Cup Final, and recently we were singing We’ll Meet Again on The Jonathan Ross Show to celebrate Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday.’
Mum-of-two Sarah also works closely with the SignHealth deaf charity’s ‘sign2sing’ schools campaign, raising awareness and money through an annual campaign song, on which she is the co-writer and performer.
‘It’s a fantastic charity, which I am very proud to be able to support,’ says Sarah. ‘The song is performed in schools all over the UK by children who have learnt to sing and sign at the same time. I also get to go in to my children’s primary school in Castle Hedingham and take part with them, which is lovely.
Where to see the Rockabellas perform in Essex this month
A Vintage Affair at Hedingham Castle
Sunday, May 21, 10am to 5pm
Tickets: Adults £8.50, over 65s £7.50, Under 18s £6, Under 5s free. Family tickets £22.50.
Visit www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/event/vintage-affair for details
Essex Sausage and Cider Festival, Barleylands, Billericay
Friday, May 26, 7 to 8pm
This is a weekend festival. Weekend tickets range from £29.95 to £195.95 (plus booking fee)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/essex-sausage-cider-music-festival-2017-tickets-26563631537
Find out more about The Rockabellas at www.therockabellas.com
Find out more about the sign2sing project at www.sign2sing.org.uk
