Ξ Leave a comment

Sarah McQuaid New Album & USA-UK Tour

posted by
Sarah McQuaid New Album & USA-UK Tour

With a new single due out in October and her fourth solo album set for release in February 2015, it’s already a busy time for Sarah McQuaid — and now she’s gearing up for a three-month tour that will see her playing 60 concerts coast-to-coast across the USA and end-to-end up and down the UK.

Sarah McQuaid

Sarah McQuaid

Earlier this year, the singer/songwriter/guitarist travelled from her adopted home in Cornwall, England, to the small town of Cornwall, New York, USA, where she spent three weeks recording the new album.

Due for release on the US-based Waterbug label on 2nd February 2015 and entitled Walking Into White, the album was co-produced by Jeremy Backofen (Frightened Rabbit, Felice Brothers, Simone Felice, Andrea Tomasi) and Sarah’s cousin Adam Pierce (Mice Parade, Tom Brosseau, Múm, Ólöf Arnalds, Gregory and the Hawk). Guest musicians include Adam and Jeremy as well as Dan Lippel on classical guitar, Gareth Flowers on trumpet, Kivie Cahn-Lipman on cello and pianist Rob King. Martin Stansbury, Sarah’s manager and touring sound engineer, also contributed guest vocals, air organ and percussion.

“I have to admit that it was a bit daunting to be working with a completely new team,” says Sarah. “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 seem to be able to pick up any instrument and play it impeccably, and he also writes beautiful songs. When I found out that he was based in a place called Cornwall, I took it as a sign that we were meant to work together … but I had no way of knowing how it would go.

“And I hadn’t met any of the others before at all, so I was very glad to have Martin with me for moral support! But I needn’t have worried — not only are they all incredibly talented and great to work with, but it actually turned out to be a lot of fun — I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much during a recording project! I’m really excited about the new album, and I’m also very happy that Gerry O’Beirne, who produced all three of my previous solo albums, co-wrote a song with me for this one, so there’s a bit of continuity there.

“I’m really looking forward to trying out the new material over the next few months of touring. I’ll be aiming to add a couple of pieces from the new album to the setlist for every gig, so that by the time it comes out I’ll be well used to playing all of them live.”

The first single from the new album, an upbeat original song by Sarah called “The Silver Lining,” is due for release in October, ahead of the UK leg of Sarah’s tour.

Her musical output reflects her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and now lives in rural England. Refusing to be pigeonholed, she spans the genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down the centuries.

Sarah’s third solo album The Plum Tree and the Rose was released in 2012 and has drawn critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic: “Impeccable,” wrote fRoots (UK), while Midwest Record (USA) called it “low key but glorious and incendiary” and Hot Press (Ireland) said it “should feature on many end-of-year best-ofs.” Her fourth album Walking Into White is due out on Waterbug Records in February 2015.

Share This Article

You may also like...

Submit your equipment reviews

Do you own a guitar, amp, effects pedal or guitar accessory that you love (or hate!). If so, become a Guitar Jar Magazine Contributor and submit your reviews for other guitarists to read.

About the author:

Sam is passionate about talking all things guitar related and started GuitarJar.co.uk to help encourage all guitarists in their guitar playing journey.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Search Guitar Jar Magazine

Sign up to our Mailing List

* indicates required

I'm interested in: