What are you listening to? 
The Gloaming’s Allistrum’s March – I love the ebb and flow, or as we would say as Gaeilge, the ‘tuile agus trá.’ 

Your all-time favourite album? 
Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks. I love the wildness, the tenderness, the honesty. It’s a heartbreaker, but it is also full of great hope. 

Musician you most admire?
My cousin, Tommy Sands – a phenomenal songwriter and activist who has done incredible work in regards to peacekeeping around the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 

Favourite new artist?
Harpist Alannah Thornburgh.

Memorable musical encounter? 
I was at an after-hours session in my favourite Cork City Pub with some incredible musicians – Dirk Powell, Brendan Gleeson, Michael McGoldrick. But I was young and hadn’t a clue who any of them were. I even called Dirk ‘Derek’ all night. Weeks later someone sang ‘Waterbound’ at another session and all the pieces began slowly clicking together in my head… I was mortified! 

First album you ever bought? 
Rodrigo y Gabriela… what an album!

Your hidden talent? 
Black belt in karate, with three world medals for Ireland. I can do my own security at gigs, which saves me a few bob.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be? 
A professional martial artist, but when the body gets a wee bit slower (if ever?), I have always fancied doing something related to law. 

Read the review of Clare Sands' self-titled sophomore album here 

This interview originally appeared in the December 2022 issue of Songlines. Never miss an issue – subscribe today