Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aoife O’Donovan has announced a special, intimate show at the legendary DeBarra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty on Tuesday, 29th July. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, Aoife began her musical journey at a young age, eventually blossoming into a celebrated artist known for her captivating vocals and heartfelt compositions. With a diverse range of influences, including folk, bluegrass, and indie rock, O’Donovan’s distinctive sound weaves together intricate melodies and introspective lyrics.
Deemed “a vocalist of unerring instinct” by the New York Times, O’Donovan has received 7 Grammy nominations including a pair for her 4th studio album All My Friends (including Best Folk Album). Released in March 2024, the album was inspired by the letters and speeches of suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt (who founded the League of Women’s Voters). It questions how much has really changed for American women, just over a century after gaining the right to vote. Amidst a lush soundscape of brass, orchestra, girls' choir and her own compelling vocals, O’Donovan explores the nations evolution through her compassionate songwriting and voice. Her earlier solo albums include Fossils, In the Magic Hour and 2022’s boldly orchestrated and literarily crafted Age Of Apathy. The album received 3 Grammy nominations and includes the song “B61” - awarded Folk Alliance International’s Song Of The Year.
Also known as collaborator, O’Donovan formed the Folk supergroup I’m With Her - alongside bandmates Sara Watkins and Sarah Jarosz. The band just released their sophomore album Wild and Clear and Blue that Billboard called “a glorious return” and Paste Magazine says is "sparked by great instrumentation and even greater writing.” O’Donovan gained widespread recognition as a founding member of the progressive folk band Crooked Still, who appears in the season 2 of the HBO hit show The Last of Us. Aoife is the featured vocalist on The Goat Rodeo Sessions (the group with Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile), performed with over a dozen symphonies including the National Symphony Orchestra and spent a decade as a regular contributor to the radio variety shows “Live From Here” and “A Prairie Home Companion”. Aoife continues to enchant audiences worldwide with her soul-stirring music and unwavering passion for storytelling through song.
Catch Aoife O’Donovan live at DeBarra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty on Tuesday, 29th July.
Tickets go on sale at 10am, Friday 6th June via https://debarra.ie/event/aoife-odonovan/