Sarah McQuaid, singer-songwriter based in Cornwall, is performing in two Worcestershire venues as part of her UK tour in May.

Promoting her sixth solo album, The St Buryan Sessions, recorded during lockdown, she will take the stage at West Malvern Social Club on May 24, and later at St Swithun's Church, Worcester on May 31.

Born to a Spanish father and American mother, McQuaid spent her early years in Chicago. In her youth, she toured the US and Canada with The Chicago Children's Choir. The mid-1990s brought her to Ireland where her unique guitar style made her sought after, resulting in regular contributions to music publications.

On moving to Cornwall in 2007, McQuaid partnered with Zoë Pollock, appreciative mum and 1991 UK Top 5 single “Sunshine On A Rainy Day” performer. Pollock produced and engineered The St Buryan Sessions, recorded live in the medieval St Buryan’s church, near McQuaid's home.

Sarah said: "I owe Zoë a massive debt of gratitude for getting me into song-writing in a serious way.

"Prior to that I’d thought of myself basically as a folksinger who happened to write an occasional song, but through working with Zoë I not only learned a hell of a lot about the craft of song-writing but also just the fact of someone of her calibre wanting to co-write with me was what finally gave me the confidence to start focusing on my own original material."

The album, launched in October 2021, quickly got onto global "Best of 2021" lists. Showcasing her diverse talents, McQuaid's performances feature her on a range of instruments; the acoustic and electric guitars, piano and the floor tom drum. The live recording also captures her unique vocal style, her voice resonating through the church’s arches.

Complimenting the audio element of the album, the entire recording process was filmed and is available for viewing, along with more information on McQuaid and her music, on her website. The Worcestershire shows are just some of the many stops on her May UK tour, supported by Live & Local.