Music
10 Apr 18

Singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid prepares for a string of Irish dates

Spanish born singer songwriter Sarah McQuaid is due to set off on a six-week tour of UK and Ireland, kicking off on April 20, following the release of a short film 'Slow Decay'. The extensive tour sees McQuaid playing shows in Dublin, Armagh, Belfast, Newtownards, Castlerock and Belmullet.

McQuaid’s tour will showcase her latest album, “If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous”, produced by Michael Champman. The album, released in February on CD and vinyl, has been receiving favourable reviews, described by PopMatters as “a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.”

McQuaid is keeping herself busy, with the tour coinciding with the release of ‘Slow Decay’. ‘Slow Decay’ is a short film and music video, produced with the help of filmmaker Brett Harvey.

The film tells the true story of Bill Conner, a father who cycled 1400 miles to hear his recently deceased daughter’s heart beat in the chest of its new recipient. Conner’s 20-year-old daughter’s heart was donated to Loumonth Jack Jr., who had been given 10 days to live prior to the organ transplant. To honour his daughter’s life, Conners cycled from his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the hospital where his daughter’s heart had been transplanted. Conners met Loumonth, embracing him and pulling out a stethoscope to hear his daughter’s heart in Loumonth’s chest. Since then, Conners has been raising awareness of the importance of organ donation, promoting his efforts at donatelife.net.

Harvey described the poignant inspiration saying, “I was struck by the humanity of the act and the notion that we live on through others after we pass away. I had wanted to tell a version of this story for a while and as soon as I heard Sarah’s beautiful song I knew it was the right fit.”

McQuaid was onboard with the idea immediately, gushing “I’m so, so glad that Brett came up with this beautiful concept for ‘Slow Decay’. It’s something I feel very strongly about, and I hope it’ll inspire anyone who’s not already registered as an organ donor to sign up.”

McQuaid, born in Spain and raised in Chicago, has recently moved to Cornwall, the home of Harvey and the other actors in the film, a move she credits enormously. McQuaid said, “I’ve been living here for over ten years now and it’s been a real joy and privilege to be able to make my home in a place that’s so beautiful and that’s also such a hotbed of creativity. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have the music career I have if it hadn’t been for the people I’ve met and worked with since moving to Cornwall.”

wouldn’t have the music career I have now if it hadn’t been for the people I’ve met and worked with since moving to Cornwall.”