MUSIC
Words | Selina Hooper
W
ith a soft breathy tone to her voice that belies her years and lyrics that speak of experiences you’d associate with someone older, Clara Barker is a breath of fresh air for the Manx Music Scene. Raised on the Isle of Man, Clara began writing many years before actually feeling brave enough to step on stage. For those who attended the gig where Clara supported Morton Valence, in the Peel Centenary Centre in June 2011, this would not be the impression that they went away with. Clara has a unique style of presenting herself and her music to the audience, whether on stage or on her FaceBook page; telling it like it is, being the order of the day. Clara is an independent artist and remains unsigned, despite her international distribution deal through Monochrome Records and is resolute about staying true to herself and her fans. This is particularly evident with her witty ripostes and naughty words sprinkled throughout her
A p p ea r i n g on the ITV Daybreak program Ed Sheeran the singer/songwriter currently taking the charts by storm was wearing a hoodie designed by Kenny McLaren, the Menswear fashion designer for Fly 53, an up and coming trendy label, loved by the music crowd. Kenny is based in Worcester but is originally from the Isle of Man and was always a great artist studying at Ballakermeen, Castle Rushen and the Isle of Man
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FaceBook page. This puts you in mind of a forthright, strong willed lady who knows what she wants and how to get it, instead of the usual insipid marketing that most labels employ where the band or artist is held at arms length from the fans and treated simply as a brand with no discernable personality. This unique style has been captured in her live EP from that event which was released in Autumn 2011, entitled “Hard Work and Whiskey”. The EP features 3 new tracks and includes music from her debut album, “Indigo”. However the EP offers a new perspective with her narrative giving her songs, or “babies” an explanation
and back story. Both Indigo and Hard Work and Whiskey are currently available from iTunes, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk (and all usual outlets) and you an find her on FaceBook, YouTube, Twitter, MySpace and ReverbNation by searching for “Clara Barker”
c o l l e g e . He went on to Kingston University where he was snapped up by Fly53 on the back of his work. Ed Sheeran obviously loves the trends that Kenny is setting as he also wore a different version of the hoodie in one of his music videos which has had around 20 million Youtube hits. To get your very own hoodie or see more of Kenny’s work visit Fly53.com.
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