Interview & Ticket Giveaway | Sarah Bettens on K’s Choice and Going Solo
K’s Choice was one of the first and most memorable bands I saw growing up in St. Louis in the late 90’s. Sarah Bettens lead the band into the fray at Pointfest 10 sharing the lineup with bands like Candlebox, Seven Mary Three, Fuel, Reel Big Fish, Local H and Monster Magnet. I saw K’s Choice lead singer Sarah Bettens fearlessly stage dive into the crowd, getting handed around over heads, all the while never breaking her vocals.
The 1996 K’s Choice single Not An Addict, with its haunting melody and grunge graveled hook, embodies the spirit of the 90’s alternative movement. The single still receives airplay on alt. rock radio today, as audiences across the country hold on the collective bond formed with the talented Belgians.
The video for Not An Addict is below. Continuing reading after the jump for an exclusive interview with Sarah Bettens, including a video of her solo work and ticket giveaway to this Friday’s show at Momo’s.
Sarah Bettens fronted the band along with her brother and guitarist, Gert. In 2003 the two decided to part ways and pursue solo projects. In a recent interview, Bettens said of that time, “We needed to feel inspired again.” By 2003 the band had been together for nearly a decade and was still having a good time. “But our enthusiasm for a new K’s Choice album really wasn’t what we felt like it should be,” Bettens continued, “we got excited about doing something separately and seeing where it took us.”
Touring in support of her solo work, Bettens describes Austin as, “one of those places you look forward to visiting.” Bettens said Austin has had a good reputation since she came through in 90’s and has made lasting friends in the city.
Bettens has returned to Austin continually, performing solo acoustic sets that have widened her skill set. “We had an extra guitar in K’s Choice,” Bettens explained, “So I only played enough to write songs.” After two EPs and two albums as a solo artist, Bettens has widened her skill set since the days of K’s Choice. “Going solo has been good,” said Bettens, “I’ve learned so much.”
With her repertoire enhanced, Bettens said that K’s Choice plans to reunite to record an album in 2009. She will perform solo at Momo’s on Friday October 24th, undoubtedly showcasing some of the solo work that will influence future K’s Choice recordings. “Going solo has forced me to step up,” said Bettens, being up there alone, “just me and my guitar, she continued, “it’s all been new and exciting.”
Austin Sound Check is giving away a pair of tickets to see Sarah Bettens at Momo’s on Saturday. For your chance at a pair of tickets leave a comment below about your favorite Sarah Bettens or K’s Choice song.
The winner will be chosen and notified on Thursday October 23rd. Good luck!
Author’s Note: Congratulations to reader Veronica Jimenez, who won the giveaway. Thanks to all who entered. Stay tuned to Austin Soundcheck for all the latest and greatest!
9 Comments
“Believe” is my favourite K’s Choice song and “Coasting speed” my favourite song of Sarah in solo.
OK, so this is the first comment so I think I could win 2 tickets but I leave in Paris, France…I win airplane tickets too??
More seriously good luck everybody for this contest and have a GREAT time!!I’m sure you’ll have!
Christelle
“I’m Okay”
Is one of my favorites.
I love the lyrics.
To me, it shows the realness and passion of this artist.
Even when she’s at her peak with stardom and fame -
that nothing truly matters except the Love of that special someone being there for Her-
waiting on Her-
loving Her -
and the thoughts of this special someone, clouding Her brain and is Her driving force.
I’d never heard Sara or K’s choice until I purchased a 1998 Lilith Fair CD at a garage sale a couple of years ago. “Everything for free” blew me away, and I’ve loved everything since! That haunting and beautiful place inside her head makes wonderful music! I’ve never seen her live, and would love the chance!
jo
My favorite is “Another Year”. I can totally relate to that song sometimes as singing it to someone in my life and sometimes as singing it to myself because of my life.
I’ve loved “Butterflies Instead” since I was about 13.
It’s one of the only songs that makes me cry EVERY time I hear it.
I’d kill for those tickets:)
SARAH IS COMING!!!!!
My favorite varies from time to time depending on my state of being. At the moment I have been listening to “All” a lot off of Almost Happy. Every single time I hear it I am amazed at how such simplicity between guitar and voice can create so much beauty. Beauty that seeps into my soul instilling clarity even in this crazy world.
The song really brings out the smoky yet bright vocals that I can not get enough of. I can not wait to hear Sarah live!!!!!!!
come over here…and here comes the sun…love sarahs version of that…
shine is awesome too
It’s pretty much impossible to pick just one K’s Choice / Sarah Bettens song!! (I’ve been a huge fan since ‘98 and love all of Sarah and Gert’s music!)
Cocoon Crash was my first K’s Choice album and still my favourite (with Almost Happy as a close runner-up)! I absolutely adore “Butterflies Instead” and “If You’re Not Scared” but, if you put a gun to my head and forced me to choose, I’d have to go with “Believe” as my all-time favourite. The lyrics are awesome and the song just makes me feel so great every time I listen to it!
As far as Sarah’s solo work goes: “Stay” (off Scream) is probably the song I listen to over and over the most!
I love it! But I also love pretty much everything on her Shine album. (Yes, I’m that indecisive!)
I would absolutely love to win a ticket to see Sarah but either way I’ll be there at Momo’s on Friday (even if it means bribing my way in through the door)!!
This solo is just so cool and awesome….