Canadian author and musician Tara MacLean is launching her memoir Song Of The Sparrow in Ireland with performances and in-store events across the country. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Each event will feature a blend of live readings from the memoir alongside performances of the songs inspired by the life experiences chronicled in the book.
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Across her 25-year career, dual Irish-Canadian citizen Tara has released nine albums, and toured internationally with artists including Dido, Willie Nelson and Nelly Furtado.
Song of the Sparrow traces her journey "from a childhood shaped by poverty and violence, to a life reclaimed through music - revealing how songwriting became both sanctuary and survival".
Tara appears at: Levis, Ballydehob, Cork on 18 April. Maureen's Pub, Cork on 20 April. The Cat & Cage Folk Club, Dublin on 21 April. The Music + Book + Fanzine Festival, Old Carnegie Library, Dún Laoghaire on 25 April.
Tickets are available here.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was discovered by a music publishing company and a record company when I was singing with friends on the top deck of a ferry boat in British Columbia.
I am Canadian but I just got my Irish citizenship!
I am a best-selling author as well as a singer/songwriter.
How would you describe your music?
Epic, industrial folk.
Who are your musical inspirations?
From Dolly Parton to Pink Floyd, Willie Nelson to Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois to Dead Can Dance. My favourite living singer is Lisa Gerrard. Being from the East Coast of Canada, we have a heavy Celtic influence, and I was raised on old gospel, bluegrass and country music. It's all in there.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
We were a little limited on my tiny island in Canada when I was young. There was a band called Honeymoon Suite who played at the local hotel. It was a big deal. Before that I had seen my father play in concert many times, as he was a country/gospel singer. But my most impactful was seeing Sinéad O'Connor at the Rosebowl in LA in 1998. I was in the front row because I was also on the bill that day. Changed my life to be so close to that kind of power.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Belladonna by Stevie Nicks.
What’s your favourite song right now?
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Southern Star - Leif Vollebekk ft. Aurora.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the Dream is gone. And I have become comfortably numb" - Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton version.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website.
Alan Corr
