CAPTIVATING FOLK PERFORMER MAKES DOWN ARTS CENTRE DEBUT

Down Arts Centre is delighted to open the new season of live performances with an appearance by celebrated folk songstress, Sarah McQuaid, on Saturday 2 May at 8pm.

Sarah McQuaid’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and “honey poured into wine” (Minor 7th). Her new album, Walking Into White (2015) is her most honest and adventurous work to date, with a depth and texture of soundscape that are reflected in her beautifully crafted live shows. A captivating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship. In her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument. 

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago and now living in rural England, Sarah refuses to be pigeonholed, segueing easily from one of her emotive originals into a 1930s Cuban jazz number or an unexpected contemporary cover. Like its predecessors, her fourth solo CD has drawn international critical acclaim; “Sending out a trembling resonance, this is a collection of songs that feel their way into your being,” wrote FolkWords (UK), where it prevailed over stiff competition to be selected as Album of the Month.

To record her fourth album, Walking Into White, Sarah travelled from her adopted home in Cornwall, England, to the small town of Cornwall, New York, USA, in order to work with co-producers Jeremy Backofen and Sarah’s cousin Adam Pierce. Coming from outside the folk world and having never worked with Sarah before, Adam and Jeremy found and nurtured the raw edge and intensity that have always been present in her live performances, while their occasionally unorthodox recording methods bring out a striking intimacy and immediacy in both her vocals and her guitar sound.

To purchase tickets (£12 / £10) and for further information on any Down Arts Centre events, please contact the box office on 028 4461 0747 or visit www.downartscentre.com. For offers and updates, like us on Facebook (Down-Arts-Centre).