Sometimes people benefit from stepping back a little and taking some time to gain a new perspective and strength before tackling a new endeavor. For Houston artist Sara Van Buskirk, taking that time for their new project has been essential.
“I think I’ve been pretty hermity in my working style. It has always been pretty solo but having artists like Kam Franklin reaching out and pulling me right out of my little shell to make me realize that there are more people out there for you than against you. You just have to find your people that help you step into your own authenticity,” says Van Buskirk of collaborating with the dynamic front woman for The Suffers on Franklin’s solo work.
Sara Van Buskirk will perform with their own project for the first time this year featuring a full band at the historic Neon Boots on Sunday, October 13 with the venue serving as the perfect setting for a return. The event is free with specialty cocktails sponsored by Basil Hayden.
The legendary club which used to be the Esquire Ballroom served as a tour stop for artists like Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers and more. Even Texas God Willie Nelson even had a stint working there while trying to sell songs and wrote “Nightlife” during his many commutes to and from Pasadena and the club.
“It’s an everything club. It is just a space for everybody and it’s just so inclusive,” says Van Buskirk of the venue which regularly offers a wide range of events and dance classes currently and also become a safe space for the LGBTQ community, of which Van Buskirk is a member.
“Building your own community and your own family is kind of what queer culture is all about and I’m so stoked to be playing at Neon Boots.”
Performing in Houston for most of their adult life, Van Buskirk is shifting from a primarily solo singer songwriter to a more dynamic sound which they have worked long and hard to harness personally and professionally.
Van Buskirk is more than excited to return and is looking forward to leaving it all on the stage Sunday night. “I have found a collection of players that really align with what I’m doing and just represent Sara Van Buskirk but a little bit louder and a little bit rowdier.”
“I have found a collection of players that really align with what I’m doing and just represent Sara Van Buskirk but a little bit louder and a little bit rowdier.”
Van Buskirk has been working away in the studio preparing the release of their upcoming self titled album, using a fan inclusive approach to the release. “I’ve kind of designed a detailed way for people to support however they see fit,” says Van Buskirk.
Patrons can donate for a variety of experiences, acknowledgements and benefits with a detailed overview of exactly how their contribution will be allocated, a clever and appropriate way for the community minded artist to self release their album.
“I’m going from a reactive lifestyle to a proactive one. When collecting these songs, some of them date back to half my lifetime ago. I didn’t have an overarching story or premise for the record but I knew that I would find it.”
Van Buskirk describes how throughout the creative process, they began to see the theme of being authentically themselves and finally connecting who they want to be with who they are, leading Van Buskirk to make it a self-titled album.
“I feel like a vessel,” says Van Buskirk. “I feel as if I need to make sure I am as clear as possible so that what is meant to come through me, comes through me and that means a lot of going into the darkest places, shining the light in there and spiking around and saying ‘ouch’ and buying some new pants because the old ones don’t fit anymore.”
Van Buskirk knows firsthand the hard work that goes into emotional healing and becoming one’s authentic self as well as the impact it can have on an entire community. Van Buskirk hopes to be that empowering image that they themselves never had growing up as a young, queer person.
Van Buskirk remembers others frequently making accusations or trying to label her as a lesbian, using the term like a dirty word, when Van Buskirk didn’t even really know what the label meant. Growing up with a struggling single mother, Van Buskirk describes how the family was raised on food stamps essentially as wards of the church.
“I came out of that training with a set of values that were not my own and that meant that I checked off some boxes that did not resonate with who I was and through that process, I found myself in an abusive situation. It took me a lot of years to get out and to really truly recognize my self worth coming out of that,” says Van Buskirk.
This year Van Buskirk released their single “Light Me Up” a sweet, somber love song featuring Margaret Lejeune and Debra Brown from Two Star Symphony, local talent that she is collaborating with again on her current project.
With their sophomore release, Van Buskirk will use their authenticity, profound voice and lyrical gift to hopefully spread love and encouragement to others, regardless of where they are coming from personally.
“I hope it gives people a sense of safety, a sense of community and of feeling seen. When we are able to receive empathy and feel seen and see representation, that’s when we have these whole people. When you’re not operating from a deficit, it’s incredible what you can accomplish.
“I’m on this precipice. I feel like I’m about to launch off and it’s going to be a really wild ride and I’m trying to grab everybody’s hand and bring them along.”
Sara Van Buskirk will perform at Neon Boots on Sunday, October 13, 11410 Hempstead Highway, 9 p.m, free.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
