For the past couple of years, Sara Pace's life has been a parade of milestones: a new marriage, new job, new city to call home and a new self-titled record. But Pace herself is not new. No, she's what you'd call an old soul.

With lyrics like "When I was a young lady/So very, very long ago" and "But I've grown restless as I've grown old" it's hard to remember the singer/songwriter is only twenty-eight.

But don't get the wrong idea: Pace is not a ghost from country records past, rather a mod Americana rocker with a folkie's soul and a truckload of talent, wisdom and sincerity. Plus, at times Pace recognizes her youth -- and it's accompanying ignorant bliss -- with tunes like "Hard to imagine (growning old)."

"Self-titled" is Pace's first CD and the ten songs range from joyful to melancholia, with highpoints including the upbeat opener, "The Hill," the delicate and catchy "Politeness" and the almost-gospel, "Lay My Body Down." It's a CD one can easily listen to over and over again, like the Indigo Girl's first record (also self-titled) or Joni Mitchell's "Blue."

Pace's voice is sweet and steady. At times, Pace sounds like one of her mentors, Gillian Welch, and even occasionally adopts a twinge of a Southern accent. At first listen, this is a bit baffling considering Pace is a Midwestern gal, but at risk of sounding esoteric, it really wouldn't be surprising if her soul has traveled to faraway places considering the timeless nature of her music.

Yep, Sara Pace is a brand new blast from the past.

OMC: I really like the quote in your bio: "I guess I was raised on the Great American Novel..." You mention three male musicians. Would you say you are more influenced by male musicians in general?

Sara Pace: Yes, I have been more influenced by male musicians. Partially, because my initial exposure to music was from father's record collection which just happened to be made up of a lot more male artists than female. But I think what influenced me more than that was the fact that I grew up with three older brothers. I guess I spent so much time around males growing up that I have always felt I understand them better. However, I should say, I certainly enjoy being a woman and it is something I am learning more and more about each day.

OMC: Who are some of your favorite female musicians?

SP: Today I enjoy listening to: Gillian Welch, Anna Purnell (The Reptile Palace Orchestra), Lucinda Williams, Neko Case and Emmylou Harris. Growing up I listened to The Carpenters, Grace Slick, Stevie Nicks, Madonna and Janis Joplin.

OMC: I also noticed you have opened for many male performers. Do you prefer working with men?

SP: No, I don't have a preference. It's a male dominated business, at least in the towns where I have played music. I think this is slowly changing though. I think in the next decade we are going to see a rise of power on behalf of women artists.

OMC: OK, enough gender-related questions. Expound on your message about "politeness." What inspired you to write this?

SP: Politeness was written during a writing drought that I was having. During this time I had a tendency to point my finger at everything in my life that I believed was drying up my inspiration: a crummy job, no money, no close friends, no conversations of real substance, etc. I was feeling sorry for myself, which is a something that, along with public restrooms that don't have hooks to hang your coat or purse on, bugs the heck out of me. So, this song was written when I finally pointed the finger at myself and said, "If you're going to write, then write."