Dear Darling is more than a blissful salutation.

Dear Darling is the nom de plume of the Sacramento-based trio of Natalie Hagwood (cello and voice), Casey Lipka (bass and voice) and Hannah Jane Kile (guitar and voice). Together, their joyous meld of jazz, folk, classical and pop delivers a fresh new sound that is being recognized both locally and nationally. Happenstance and the Covid lockdown brought the three “Darlings” together in late 2019. Casey Lipka and Hannah Jane Kile immediately bonded after the two met while performing in the thriving Sacramento music scene. Natalie Hagwood and Casey Lipka joined forces after Lipka hired Hagwood sight unseen for a gig and realized the duo’s undeniable chemistry. At Lipka’s suggestion, the three women met, and Dear Darling became a reality.

Dear Darling’s uplifting vocal harmonics echo Joni Mitchell and the Laurel Canyon sound of the late ‘60s. Augmented with classical instrumentation fused with modern day messaging that encourages empowerment and inner strength, Dear Darling put a distinctively feminine spin on the Americana music form.
With the arrival of 2022, the accolades and milestones continue. The new year begins on an auspicious note with the release of Dear Darling’s first album, Believe. Lush harmonies propel the title track that speaks to the importance of faith and self-love. “Always,” another standout track, serves as a heartfelt lullaby professing a mother’s enduring love for her child. Believe will be available for purchase in March 2022 via the band’s website, deardarlingmusic.com.

March 2022 marks another hallmark moment for the group. After an extensive competition, Dear Darling was selected to perform as one of three opening acts for the 14th annual Cayamo Sixth Man Soundcheck Festival, a 7-day Caribbean cruise featuring Americana artists Emmy Lou Harris, Punch Brothers, the Indigo Girls, and Grace Potter. As the trio sing in their track “Way Deep Down,” “the seed will not grow if you keep it from the ground.” With angelic harmonies as billowy as clouds, and a reputation for live performances that continues to bloom, Dear Darling is firmly planted to move from critical “darlings” to mainstream audiences.

And that’s no small feat for a trio whose jazz-folk vision is unique to the contemporary music scene.