Holly Clarke

Traditional Singer and Guitarist from the Lake District

‘Holly Clarke is a Cumbrian singer of great strength and class. Whether solo or in collaboration, Holly is a total all-rounder, with the story-teller’s gift to make the listener laugh, cry and just glad to be in her presence’ – James Fagan

About Holly

Holly Clarke a musician and singer who performs with an infectious energy and passion for traditional song. A powerful voice that carries and connects the traditions and tales of our times.

Holly is a singer from the Lake District who is steeped in the tradition of ballad singing, is a singer who explores these old songs and finds new ways to perform their unique narratives. Storytelling is at the heart of what Holly does as an artist and this has been influenced by the field recording singers. It is the grit and the purity of these recordings that drives Holly to perform in the way that is true to the tradition and to herself. Her voice and style is resonant with the tradition and the stories she tells, and the songs she sings resonate with people today.

For the past four years Holly has played in her band Holly and the Reivers, featuring Newcastle based musicians Bertie Armstrong and Merle Harbron, with whom she supported the legendary Billy Bragg at Folk on the Tyne Festival 2019.

from 2019 to 2020 Holly was Sage Gateshead’s Artist in Residence specialising in Traditional Folk song and Ballad.