Following on from the release of her critically acclaimed EP ‘Tírdhreacha Agus Fuaimdhreacha’ (Landscapes & Soundscapes), smashing subsequent single ‘Awe na Mná’ and then the thunderous ‘Sail On’, Clare Sands shares her new song ‘Keep the Flame Burning’, which features on her upcoming self-titled album coming September 28th.
Sixth generation fiddler, bilingual singer and multi-instrumentalist Clare Sands wrote ‘Keep the Flame Burning’ in the West Donegal Gaeltacht. She describes the song as an uplifting and hopeful anthem for the human spirit, to keep the flame burning for whatever it is in your heart you hold dear.
Recorded between West Cork and West Donegal, ‘Keep the Flame Burning’ meanders through the old and new. Irish and English lyrics interweave seamlessly, combining with Sands driving fiddling, percussive sea shells, and bellowing double bass, all combining to create Sands’ undeniable ‘Fearless Folk Fuinniúil’ sound.
‘Keep the Flame Burning’ is a call to the human spirit, to keep on keepin’ on no matter what. To keep those things you hold so dearly in your heart alive, whatever that may be – family, nature, love, the sea. For me in this song, it is tradition and language – embracing them, sharing them and not forgetting them’
Long lost sea-themed words in Irish collected by Manchán Magan for his project ‘Sea Tamagotchi’ also inspired this song. Words like Bristeacha (big foamy strong waves) and Calm Leadaí (a calm sea, term of endearment) were crying out to be sung.
Clare Sands and long-time collaborator Liadain Ní Bhraonáin created a music video that follows an array of women on their own journeys into the sea. Inviting family, friends and two of their heroes to take part – Easkey Britton, world renowned surfer and marine social scientist, and Vanessa Dawes, visual artist and open water swimmer.
Liadain recalls “It was such an honor and joy to spend some time with all these amazing women, highlighting and celebrating their relationship to the sea. The video explores our connection to water, through the ages and through the waves – of surf, swim, freedom and fun.”
Clare’s upcoming self-titled album, due for release on September 28th, is a celebration of resilience, love and hope.
It explores tradition, the sea, and the power of women through the dark and light, love and loss, and the rise and fall.
Written & recorded over two years along the West coast from Mizen to Malin, Clare found a path where the Irish and English languages, Irish traditional, folk, and contemporary music meet. Clare’s traditional melodies, pulsating rhythms and bilingual song are interwoven with spoken word guests Manchán Magan, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, Fiachna Ó Braonáin & Tommy Sands, and musical guests Aisling Urwin, Steve Cooney & Susan O’Neill.
“Join me on this journey, for the young and the old, brave and the bold. A Chairde, bígí liom.”
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After electric live performances at All Together, Body & Soul and Glastonbury, Clare Sands announces her album tour dates below…
Ireland:
Levis, West Cork – September 10th
Live at St.Lukes, Cork – October 1st
The Cobblestone, Dublin – October 6th
The Duncairn, Belfast – October 8th
Galway – October 20th
Donegal – October 21st
UK/Europe:
Manchester Folk Festival: October 13th
German Tour: October 28th – November 19th
UK Tour December
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