Hailing from The Isle Of Man, I first encountered the music of singer/songwriter/guitarist Clara Barker through MySpace Music in 2007.
I found the four or five original songs she had on her profile to be well written and well performed. Although there were an array of styles to the uploaded songs, the quirky " Cowboy Ninja Bear" soon became my favourite and remains so to this day.
Eventually we both made the move to Facebook.
Clara's first album, Indigo, was released on 1st March 2010 and included all the songs that had been on MySpace. Than a rest. Clara went back to her day job and waited to see how the album would sell. After a few months preparations were bring made for a mini-tour of the UK. In January 2011 Clara played a nice, small, music pub in Leicester called The Musician along with upcoming folk singer/guitarist Lucy Ward.
I was a little nervous at first, but after the gig I went and introduced myself (and got her to sign my CD!). It was just so good to finally see her play and meet her after being a fan and communicating online for so long and she felt the same about meeting me and thanked me for coming. I got a photo with her, then I had to go home.
Our friendship continued over Facebook I'd like and comment on stuff she'd post and we'd IM occasionally.
18 months later, on the September 7th 2012 (the day before my birthday!) she was back at The Musician and I was back to see her. She had been busy in this time and as well as the songs from Indigo, there was a new song, Sollami and Sollamr. The tale of two dead lovers sitting on a star, wondering if their paths would cross again in the next life. This tour in 2012 formed the live EP Hard Work and Whisky.
I had seen Clara prior to this gig. I visited The Isle Of Man for the first time in April 2012 and Clara had invited me to go see one of her friends, a guy called Chris T-T, at the Working Men's club in Laxey.
Work had already started on new songs for the next album, but recording it was more of a problem. The solution? Crowdfunding! Clara set up an account to raise money to record and produce the new album. She got almost $2500 or £1800!
Crowndfunding or Crowdsourcing involves asking for donations for small amounts to large amounts and getting gifts back in return. Clara gave away signed copies of Indigo, signed photos, fridge magnets and the EP Hard Work and Whisky. Giving a donation was the only way to get a copy of the exclusive RocketJam EP!
Clara's next gig in Leicester was on May 19th 2013, once again at The Musician, but this time it wasn't her gig! She was, however, supporting two of her idols, Miles and Erica from The Wonderstuff! This did mean a shorter set, so more new songs and less of the old. But still a brilliant set.
Her second album, entitled "Fine Art and the Breslins" is now finished and is due out this coming Sunday (4th May 2014) from Small Bear Records www.smallbearrecords.com Digital Download and physical CD copies will be available. Downloads from other vendors (iTunes, Amazon, etc) coming soon.
Why so long between albums and tours? Recording times and costs aside, Clara Barker is still an aspiring musician and as well as her music holds down a full-time job.
I look forward to hearing the new album and to seeing her play live when she tours again.
I found the four or five original songs she had on her profile to be well written and well performed. Although there were an array of styles to the uploaded songs, the quirky " Cowboy Ninja Bear" soon became my favourite and remains so to this day.
Eventually we both made the move to Facebook.
Clara's first album, Indigo, was released on 1st March 2010 and included all the songs that had been on MySpace. Than a rest. Clara went back to her day job and waited to see how the album would sell. After a few months preparations were bring made for a mini-tour of the UK. In January 2011 Clara played a nice, small, music pub in Leicester called The Musician along with upcoming folk singer/guitarist Lucy Ward.
I was a little nervous at first, but after the gig I went and introduced myself (and got her to sign my CD!). It was just so good to finally see her play and meet her after being a fan and communicating online for so long and she felt the same about meeting me and thanked me for coming. I got a photo with her, then I had to go home.
Our friendship continued over Facebook I'd like and comment on stuff she'd post and we'd IM occasionally.
18 months later, on the September 7th 2012 (the day before my birthday!) she was back at The Musician and I was back to see her. She had been busy in this time and as well as the songs from Indigo, there was a new song, Sollami and Sollamr. The tale of two dead lovers sitting on a star, wondering if their paths would cross again in the next life. This tour in 2012 formed the live EP Hard Work and Whisky.
I had seen Clara prior to this gig. I visited The Isle Of Man for the first time in April 2012 and Clara had invited me to go see one of her friends, a guy called Chris T-T, at the Working Men's club in Laxey.
Work had already started on new songs for the next album, but recording it was more of a problem. The solution? Crowdfunding! Clara set up an account to raise money to record and produce the new album. She got almost $2500 or £1800!
Crowndfunding or Crowdsourcing involves asking for donations for small amounts to large amounts and getting gifts back in return. Clara gave away signed copies of Indigo, signed photos, fridge magnets and the EP Hard Work and Whisky. Giving a donation was the only way to get a copy of the exclusive RocketJam EP!
Clara's next gig in Leicester was on May 19th 2013, once again at The Musician, but this time it wasn't her gig! She was, however, supporting two of her idols, Miles and Erica from The Wonderstuff! This did mean a shorter set, so more new songs and less of the old. But still a brilliant set.
Her second album, entitled "Fine Art and the Breslins" is now finished and is due out this coming Sunday (4th May 2014) from Small Bear Records www.smallbearrecords.com Digital Download and physical CD copies will be available. Downloads from other vendors (iTunes, Amazon, etc) coming soon.
Why so long between albums and tours? Recording times and costs aside, Clara Barker is still an aspiring musician and as well as her music holds down a full-time job.
I look forward to hearing the new album and to seeing her play live when she tours again.
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