Sarah marks new album with show in Monroe’s

SINGER-SONGWRITER Sarah McQuaid who spent three weeks recording her fourth solo album, The Plum tree and the Rose, in New York in January, will be in concert in Galway on June 8, performing material from that release and her back catalogue.

Sarah is a versatile performer whose unique voice delivers a powerful emotional punch that’s matched by her distinctive eloquent guitar style. In addition to her own elegantly crafted originals, Sarah interprets traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads, 1930s jazz numbers, surprise covers and lively guitar instrumentals.

The Plum Tree and the Rose was co-produced by Jeremy Backofen and Adam Pierce, who

also performed on it alongside three members of the International Contemporary Ensemble and pianist Rob Kind. Martin Stansbury, Sarah’s manager, also contributed.

“It was a bit daunting working with a completely new team,” she says. “Even though Adam is my cousin, I’d seen hardly anything of him since we were kids, although I’ve been keeping an eye on his musical career and admire his work tremendously – he’s one of those people who seems to be able to pick up any instrument and play it impeccably, and he also writes beautiful songs.”

Sarah is happy with the completed album and looking forward to trying out the new material. “I’ll be aiming to add a couple of pieces from the new album to the set list for every gig.”