2022 saw the release of Clare’s highly anticipated self-titled album. Earning her a ‘Best Folk Singer’ nomination for the Irish Folk Awards, Irish Times Top 5 Folk albums of 2022, No.1 single ‘Sail On‘ featuring on RTÉ1 and Spotify’s ‘A Breath of Fresh Éire‘ playlist, and highly acclaimed praise from the BBC, Songlines Magazine & Folker (DL). Following stand out performances at Glastonbury Festival, Celtic Connections & the Irish Arts Centre NYC last year, Clare will continue to carry her song throughout the UK, Europe & USA this year. Recent performance highlights include Cambridge Folk Festival and Belfast Trad Fest 2023.
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‘Sands reach is wide & deep. This album speaks most of all of resilience & solidarity, of friendship & kinship. This fine debut revels in Sands innate & fearless curiosity, and her insistence on diving deep below the surface. A mighty first step to what promises to be a lifelong expedition.’
Siobhán Long, The Irish Times
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‘Armed with the combined powers of virtuosity, boldness, and a touch of madcap spontaneity, Clare Sands has continued to mark herself as one of Irish music’s most compellingly unique forces.’
Lucy O’Toole, Hotpress Magazine
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‘Sands excavates into Ireland’s ancient myths & landscapes whilst exploring the political exigencies of it’s here and now… A bold, beautiful album brimming with ideas.’
Songlines Magazine