181 State St
Portland, ME 04101
USA
Sawyer Auger, a soulful Folk Rock pop musician, is not just an artist but a beacon of hope using his music to shed light on the shadows of mental health. Born and raised in a small town, Sawyer discovered his passion for music at a young age, finding solace in the strings of his acoustic guitar. Known for his distinctive sound, Sawyer employs a unique approach to his craft by incorporating a looper into his performances, magically transforming his solo act into a captivating full-band experience. With the skillful use of this device, he weaves layers of melody, creating a rich, immersive atmosphere that envelops his audience in a sonic embrace.
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At the end of a long day traversing the White Mountains, when the sun has laid down behind the horizon and the shush of the forest descends, you sit by the campfire and crack open the cold beverage of your choice. Surrounded by friends or family, you realize this is the best possible place you could be right now. This is the feeling that Jake Swamp and the Pine captures with their music. The name Jake Swamp and the Pine provides that context, as it was inspired by the Jake Swamp pine tree – the tallest tree in MA and is honoring Jake Swamp – a prominent environmentalist.
Behind the creative force of Jake Swamp and the Pine is Drew Zieff, JSATP has toured relentlessly since its formation in 2018 in the Greater Boston and New England region. Recent performances include Word Barn, Club Passim, Black Bear Americana Festival, Boston Music Awards Ceremony at Brighton Music Hall, Adam Ezra Ramble Festival, Parlor Room and more.
At the end of 2022, JSATP released their debut album, Simpson and Banks, named after the cross streets in Somerville, MA where the band was formed. Within those cross streets, hours and hours of practice, laughing, writing, struggling with creating social content had been held. There were many moments of life that were revisited because of the writing and reflecting that happened there, so it felt only fitting to honor that with the album name. Those beautiful and confusing moments of life are captured and distilled into each song on the album.
Simpson and Banks received praise from many prestigious publications including Americana UK, who noted that a “Gloriously atmospheric vocals carry a set of passionate, emotive and classy songs.” (read more)
Jake Swamp and the Pine songs range from powerful acoustic anthems to knee-slapping hoedowns to slow and somber waltzes, drawing on diverse influences from the Americana, folk, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, and jam band traditions. With a collection of original songs and covers of artists, there’s always something to stomp, clap, or holler along to. Country 102.5 said “Jake Swamp and the Pine was born to be heard live. You can feel the emotion in his guitar, and his vocals take you on winding journey, up and around bends of inflection. There’s sheer joy that resounds in the making of his craft. You can get all that just from listening to one song.”
JSATP has been nominated four years in a row for the Boston Music Awards Americana Act of the Year, as well as New England Music Awards Americana Act of the Year.