Holly Clarke, a singer who draws from the old ballads and stories, conjures a performance that immediately captivates any listener.

 

As a performer, Holly transports the listener into the heart of ballads, immersing them in the narratives that have shaped humanities experience through time. From songs of the supernatural and folklore, to the tales of love and loss, Holly Clarke sings with an infectious energy and passion for traditional song. 

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Rising in popularity among folk audiences and performing with the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Daoiri Farrell and Queer Folk, Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. Performing at festivals and venues such as The Glasshouse International Centre For Music, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Bromyard Folk Festival, Tiree Music Festival, The Fire Station Sunderland and many, many more.

 

Alongside Holly’s affinity for traditional ballads, she is a strong composer in her own right, with her tune compositions being performed by Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle legend Annbjørg Lien and Shetland’s very own Catriona Macdonald. Outside of performing, between 2019 to 2020 Holly was The Glasshouse International Centre for music's Artist in Residence specialising in Traditional Folk Song and Ballads. 

 

As well as performing solo, Holly has a duo with George Sansome (Granny’s Attic), The powerhouse band RE:VULVA (Amy Thatcher, Janice Burns, Cathy Geldard) and also gigs with the trio ‘Holly and the Reivers’, featuring Newcastle based musicians Bertie Armstrong (Banjo and Voice) and Merle Harbron (Fiddle and Voice), with whom she supported the legendary Billy Bragg at Folk on the Tyne Festival.

 

Holly is an artist not to be missed, who brings the best of traditional song and contemporary composition into every performance.  

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“Man, she can sing” Martin Carthy

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"Holly is the possessor of a seemingly effortless and transporting folk voice which is perfectly suited to her broad and deeply thought-out repertoire, and is an enviably confident and skilled instrumentalist." Nancy Kerr 

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"Holly is a rising star in the folk firmament." James Fagan 

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"The powerful voice of Holly Clarke breaks through like an inveigling siren, holding your attention and never letting go." RnR Magazine