Sloan Wainwright to perform in Rahway at The Loft

Folk-pop artist Sloan Wainwright belongs to a musical dynasty of impossibly gifted singer-songwriters.

Her family tree (brother and folk-­music luminary Loudon Wainwright, sister-­in-­law Kate McGarrigle, nephew Rufus Wainwright, nieces Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche) reads like a who’s who of contemporary folk music. Sloan’s incredible gift is not only her unique songwriting ability but also her dramatically voiced rendition of original songs.

Defying standard categorization, Sloan consistently demonstrates her easy command of a variety of American musical styles -­-­ pop, folk, jazz and blues -­-­ held together by the melodious tone of her rich contralto. The end result is a unique and soulful hybrid.

With a solid and impressive discography of 8 original CD releases to her credit, Sloan continues to write, sing and perform live. In addition, Sloan has written numerous musical compositions for theater and dance and teaches at many of the best-­known master songwriter series and workshops. Sloan’s open spirit and first-­hand experience is welcome -­-­year after year-­-­ in the musical classrooms of such prestigious song camps as The Swannanoa Gathering, Summersongs, Wintersongs, WUMB Radio’s Summer Acoustic Music Week (SAMW), Moab Folk Camp and Lambs Retreat.

Sloan is an independent artist making grown-­up girl music in the truest sense

Opening act Sharon Goldman sings “high-end folk-pop” — that is, sophisticated songwriting for discerning listeners. The New Jersey-based singer-songwriter has been called a “brilliant tunesmith” (New York Music Daily) whose vivid imagery and intelligent, inventive storytelling — combined with clever, catchy melodies and pure, precise vocals — take folk-pop to new, more powerful places.

Think Suzanne Vega. Shawn Colvin, Aimee Mann. KT Tunstall. Brandi Carlile. Send them all on a subway ride downtown with Sharon’s idol, Paul Simon, and you’ll get her brand of honest, direct, poignant, clever songwriting.

Her latest album, SILENT LESSONS, was officially released on January 1, 2014. The new 8-song offering was produced by longtime collaborator THAD DEBROCK, a Brooklyn-based guitarist, sideman, musical director and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with many top artists including Duncan Sheik, Ari Hest, Sharon Corr (of The Corrs) and was in the original band for the Broadway show Spring Awakening.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! $20 in advance; $22 day of show