Clannad joins forces with Denise Chaila on live version of 'In a Lifetime'

St. Patrick's Day is always a well-chosen time for Irish talent to showcase itself internationally, with Picture This, Inhaler and Pillow Queens appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden over the last number of weeks and Kojaque, Denise Chaila and Unorthodox Coolock performing at tonight's Jameson Connects gig.

In light of their recent Ireland in Music collaboration, Denise Chaila and Celtic powerhouse family Clannad have linked up for a revitalised live rendition of their hit 'In a Lifetime'.

The hugely influential Irish collective possess a catalogue offering fresh definitions on traditional music in the 21st century, and they've chosen spoken word artist, rap sensation and Choice Music Prize Album of the Year winner Denise Chaila for their new single.

The Limerick talent re-works a vocal made famous by Bono, adding her own unique style to the mix, and helping to push the song in a fresh direction.

Recorded live in Donegal at the band’s family home, the performance is beautifully captured in the accompanying live video from a derelict church overlooking the Poison Glen.

"When the project Ireland In Music was confirmed last summer, I reached out to Denise after seeing her on a streaming event...I thought she stole the show!" Clannad's Pól Brennan comments.

"Blown away by her performance, I asked her if she'd be interested in joining us for 'In a Lifetime' and a couple of weeks later she came to my studio in Kilkenny, with her team Munya, GodKnows and MuRli.... and what a day we had. We shared music, food, stories and more music well into the night and if I needed any confirmation that she'd be great for the song... that was it. It was very appropriate that we went back to Donegal, back to the original location to shoot the video last October and we had some magic making it... it was great to share it all with her… the music, our home and family I've recently been back in studio with her... working on tracks for her new album... what a talent!"

Clannad has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Bruce Hornsby, Steve Perry of Journey, JD Souther, Paul Young, and Duke Special. Bono declared singer Moya as “one of the greatest voices the human ear as ever experienced,” before duetting with the singer.

"There's a quiet element of destiny to how this all came together for me. I’ve been joking that Clannad are my long lost aunties and uncles since we started to speak about this song because my affection for them was almost immediate," Denise Chaila said of the rework.

"Finding that I was being adopted in return was an incredible joy. I’m so proud to be able to contribute my voice to the legacy of their work. Not least because there’s certainly some gravity involved in being asked to sing a part that Bono first imprinted his voice on. Being trusted to sing 'In A Lifetime' with Moya, knowing what it means to them and a vast community of people, is a blessing of many tiers. One that was born over cups of tea, vulnerable conversation, storytelling and PB gently reminding me that singing should feel like breathing. This song, to me, has always spoken of a rebirth in the midst of a storm. Coming together to create this, felt exactly like that."

Check out the clip below:

The live, digital release of 'In a Lifetime' creates the bridging gap between the band’s re-scheduled global farewell tour and the 'IN A LIFETIME' anthology collection. Released in 2020, the anthology captures Clannad’s incredible and enduring body of work - which includes over 16 studio albums. The band’s world tour is due to recommence in September with 23 North American shows followed by nine UK shows.