Sharing is Clare-ing

Described as a "musical genius" on stage, Cork-born fiddler, singer-songwriter and all-round sonic savant Clare Sands has just began a fund-it campaign for her debut album.

So far Clare has raised over €3,000 of her €7,500 target and hopes to enter the studio in November to begin recording.

One person describes her as “an Irish fiddle-playing reincarnation of Janis Joplin meets Moving Hearts and Kila, wowing audiences around the world with her ground-breaking style, sultry and gravelly vocals, and infinite warrior-like energy”.

In recent months, Clare, like many fellow musicians, has missed out on performance opportunities both at home and abroad, with headline shows in the UK, Germany and the US cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In March, the performer made the journey to Connemara where she was holed up in an old, shoreside cottage to fully immerse herself in writing material for her self-titled first record.

Clare describes her upcoming album as a “pulsating journey for all the senses” with tunes to move to and get lost in, all driven by a “fearless front woman”.

“I’m excited to step into this new stage, and into a room full of incredible musicians. Together, we make a truly innovative sound, navigating through uncharted territories. We are ever evolving. We are forever pushing boundaries,” says Clare.

Any donations made to Clare’s fund-it page will go directly towards the production of the album including studio time with Brian Casey of Wavefield Studios, CD and vinyl duplication and videography.

In return, those who make donations can receive CDs, vinyl, textile art done by Clare’s mum Susan, picnics at Fota Wildlife Park with Clare, swim and surf lessons, masterclasses and workshops, and house concerts.