25 Quick-Fire Questions with Walk Off the Earth’s Sarah Blackwood

Sarah Blackwood is a multiplatinum Juno award-winning singer, songwriter and member of the platinum-selling band Walk off the Earth. With a combined one billion views on YouTube, Sarah is recognized globally for her many talents, including her candid unfiltered social media presence. She has headlined the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Wembley Arena and sold out the historic Sydney Opera House. She notched a top 10 single for thirty straight weeks in Canada, as well as a top 25 in the U.S. Sarah provides an honest and down-to-earth perspective on life as a musician, parent, DIYer, and passionate fashion and beauty lover. While Sarah’s life may be a whirlwind, she tends to draw the most inspiration from her three boys, Giorgio, Luigi and Romeo.

Walk off the Earth’s live show in Toronto at Budweiser Stage is on Saturday, June 18 and in New York at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 23.

What is your idea of the perfect day?
Sleeping in, someone making me breakfast, breathing the fresh air, snuggles with my kids, some kind of exercise, a little bit of work, delicious dinner cooked by my husband, laughs at the dinner table with the family and then a movie night with some wine.

Why did you choose your career?
I knew I wanted to do something in the arts but I wasn’t sure what, so I just said yes to everything and followed that path in whatever direction it led.

What do you love most about what you do in your job?
Getting to do something that I love.

What has been the hardest part of building your career?
Balancing becoming a mother and maintaining my career…and sleeping in a bunk on a tour bus.

Who was/is your mentor?
I don’t have one specific mentor. I like to find inspiration in people from all walks of life and listen to their stories.

Who is your favourite Canadian?
My dad.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I say 100% a lot.

Which words or phrases do you dislike when other people overuse?
Like.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
My children and (partner and bandmate) Gianni.

When and where were you happiest?
Right now. I always try to be the happiest I’ve ever been in the moment in which I’m living.

Which talent would you most like to have?
Dancing.

Who are your heroes in real life?
The mom that gets ready before she drops her kids off in the morning so she can go straight to work. The dad that volunteers to coach his kid’s soccer team. People who still recognize and practise what it truly is to be a part of a community. People who love hard.

What is your motto?
Do what you love and what you do will love you back!

What do you always have in your fridge?
Food.

How would you describe yourself as a parent?
I have a very 90s parenting style. I like to give my kids opportunities that will help them build character and learn about the world from all different perspectives.

What is your parenting superpower?
Being minimalistic and resourceful.

What is your favourite memory of your own parents?
Probably the time when we all smoked weed together when we were camping. My dad kept asking for more of the joint and kept saying, “I don’t feel anything.” And that’s when I knew it was his first time getting high. That, and when my mom came to the Junos with us one year; she was so excited and helped me with my outfit.

What is a tradition from your childhood that you’ve carried on with your own child?
Summer cottaging!

What do you love most about being a parent, and what do you dislike most?
Watching our three kids grow, and being mesmerized by the fact that I made them. Seeing their passion for life and joyfulness is an unmatchable feeling. What I dislike the most is the catastrophic thinking that comes along with being a parent.

What has surprised you most about being a parent that you weren’t expecting?
Everything about being a parent is unexpected and new.

Favourite family vacation and why?
We took our kids all over the world when they were babies, because of touring. But they don’t really remember that experience too much, so I think our favourite and most memorable vacations to date are our trips to the cottage in the summer.

What one trait or value are you most trying to instil in your children?
Compassion and kindness.

What one trait are you hoping to avoid?
Greed and jealousy.

Favourite family summer activity?
When the kids go to day camp.

Favourite family winter activity?
Snowboarding or going to Costa Rica!

Instagram: @sarahblackwoodmusic / @walkofftheearth

Twitter: @SarahBlackwood / @WalkOffTheEarth