Clare McNaul, a song finder and song maker for several decades, has been inspired by the love, diverse landscapes, her keen observations, relationships, and connections that have shaped her songwriting.
Clare’s masterfully crafted lyrics transform ordinary moments into extraordinary narratives. She's compelled to share simple yet inspiring slices of life through her music, believing they deserve to be told, not left unsung.
Known for her rich, warm and powerful vocal style, Clare found her voice as a child, spinning records on the family turntable and singing harmonies with Ann Murray, Judy Collins and Karen Carpenter.
Clare's passion for music was ignited when her dad added a guitar into the mix, giving her a Yamaha on her sixteenth birthday. She quickly learned chords, played folk masses, and navigated the Toronto music scene, doing open mics in church basements and high school auditoriums.
Life came to an exciting and interesting turning point when Clare met Blain, who played Nanci Griffith’s version of Deadwood South Dakota for her. Clare was captivated. She'd never heard anything like it. This led to a spark and since then they have collaborated in music and life, eventually co-founding the six-member Celtic-folk band Crazy Man Michael and playing events and festivals across Ontario. When this musical odyssey came to a close, they continued to play gigs as a duo, and are now known as Drifting Tunes.
Embarking on an adventure through Appalachia, and traveling deep down into the desert Southwest in a ’92 Econoline van named ‘Harles’ brought house concerts, playing with desert rats in local bands, Friday night gigs in dusty Saloons deep in the Mojave and leading worship in the local Baptist church. In amongst the Joshua Trees, cholla bushes and creosotes Clare found the beating heart of Roots music, Americana, Gospel and Cowboy blues. These experiences broadened her musical horizons and continue to shape her songwriting today.
Emerging now onto the Edmonton music scene, Clare is bringing her soulful vocals, thoughtful lyrics and signature roots-folk sound honed over many years, creating a heartwarming and entertaining atmosphere that inspires and delights audiences.
Clare’s masterfully crafted lyrics transform ordinary moments into extraordinary narratives. She's compelled to share simple yet inspiring slices of life through her music, believing they deserve to be told, not left unsung.
Known for her rich, warm and powerful vocal style, Clare found her voice as a child, spinning records on the family turntable and singing harmonies with Ann Murray, Judy Collins and Karen Carpenter.
Clare's passion for music was ignited when her dad added a guitar into the mix, giving her a Yamaha on her sixteenth birthday. She quickly learned chords, played folk masses, and navigated the Toronto music scene, doing open mics in church basements and high school auditoriums.
Life came to an exciting and interesting turning point when Clare met Blain, who played Nanci Griffith’s version of Deadwood South Dakota for her. Clare was captivated. She'd never heard anything like it. This led to a spark and since then they have collaborated in music and life, eventually co-founding the six-member Celtic-folk band Crazy Man Michael and playing events and festivals across Ontario. When this musical odyssey came to a close, they continued to play gigs as a duo, and are now known as Drifting Tunes.
Embarking on an adventure through Appalachia, and traveling deep down into the desert Southwest in a ’92 Econoline van named ‘Harles’ brought house concerts, playing with desert rats in local bands, Friday night gigs in dusty Saloons deep in the Mojave and leading worship in the local Baptist church. In amongst the Joshua Trees, cholla bushes and creosotes Clare found the beating heart of Roots music, Americana, Gospel and Cowboy blues. These experiences broadened her musical horizons and continue to shape her songwriting today.
Emerging now onto the Edmonton music scene, Clare is bringing her soulful vocals, thoughtful lyrics and signature roots-folk sound honed over many years, creating a heartwarming and entertaining atmosphere that inspires and delights audiences.