Sarah Shook and the Disarmers latest album Years continues to build momentum…

Two weeks ago Sarah Shook released her second album, Years with a hometown show at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, just outside of Chapel Hill. The event was held to celebrate the album release and kick off a multi-state tour that recently turned international with dates added in Sweden and Norway to start the summer.

The album has been widely accepted as Shook has been praised for her hard work and ability to speak her mind through engaging lyrics (and in the real world) without hesitation. Never in fear of potential repercussions, Shook stays true to herself and continues to move forward. It is this resiliency that has catapulted Shook and her band into the spotlight.

Two years ago Rolling Stone named Shook as one of ten artists that fans needed to know. Offering the following comments in an attempt to describe her and the band.

Her sound is a sneering fusion of punk-rock autonomy and say-it-like-it-is country from the classic era, paired with a timeless vocal warble and tons of attitude. Honest to a fault and as foul-mouthed as a drunken sailor, she’s a nonconforming spitfire who’s proud of not fitting in with mainstream country music. Nor does Shook hold back when writing about whiskey and hard living, screwing up and failed romance (with guys and girls) — whether in her songs or her combative social-media posts.

Needed to know then and well known now, without changing her approach although Years is a more polished album with a purpose. Recently, we caught up with Shook to discuss the album release and how things have changed since her first record, Sidelong.

RDNC: How exciting is it to host your album release show here in North Carolina with back-to-back dates in Carrboro and Charlotte?

SS: We are so pumped for a huge home show for the release of Years! We haven’t played locally since New Year’s Eve and it’s gonna rip. (It did)

RDNC: You’ve previously mentioned that Years is about finding a way. As your second album is about to debut, how has finding your own way changed since Sidelong?

SS: I’ve grown a lot as a person and as an artist since we released Sidelong. I’m single for the first time in about 11 years and spending a lot of solid alone time, getting myself together and preparing to tour like crazy for the rest of the year.

RDNC: Obviously, each of the 10 tracks on the new record have a special meaning but is there one, in particular, that outweighs the others for you personally?

SS: Years is one of the crucial tracks, it’s about acknowledging a need for change and reconnecting with yourself after years of pouring yourself into a black hole of a relationship.

Just this week the new record popped up on Billboard charts, reaching number 10 in the ‘Heatseekers’ category for top-selling albums by new or developing acts. Only officially two weeks old, the future is looking bright for Shook, the Disarmers and Years.