Spotlight: Sara Watkins

On her third solo record, Young In All The Wrong Ways, released July 1 on New West Records, acclaimed singer/songwriter Sara Watkins boldly steps back into the role of frontwoman following the collaborative groups of Watkins Family Hour and the Platinum-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning Nickel Creek. Self-described as a “breakup album with myself,” writing and recording the 10 soul-baring songs on the album was a means for Watkins to process and mark the last couple years, which have been transformative. The album is about turning the page and taking the reins, in both her career and personal life, and the songs contain some of the heaviest moments of her career. “What these songs are documenting is the turmoil you feel when you know something has to change and you’re grappling with what that means,” says Watkins. The Allister Ann-directed video for her first single, “Move Me,” was premiered by NPR Music, who described the song as starting as a “gentle country-pop arrangement” that builds to “full-on, hair-flinging ’90s-goddess rock.” Produced by Gabe Witcher at United Recording in Hollywood, all 10 songs on the album were either written or co-written by Watkins — a first for her — and features a stellar band that includes Punch Brothers guitarist Chris Eldridge and bassist Paul Kowert, and musicians Jon Brion and Jay Bellerose. Watkins’ bandmates in her all-female trio, I’m With Her — Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan — harmonize with her throughout the album– and Jim James of My Morning Jacket provides a vocal foil on “One Last Time.” All in all, the album is the most fully realized set of her solo career. Currently in the midst of a worldwide tour, the GRAMMY Museum welcomes Sara Watkins to the Clive Davis Theater for an intimate conversation on her new album and special performance, hosted by Scott Goldman, Vice President of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares.