Emerging Alternative Country Singer-songwriter Clare Doyle looks to a Creative Fall

Fulfilling her lifelong ambition, Twin Cities singer-songwriter Clare Doyle enjoys the road alongside her friend and fellow Minneapolis music artist, Michael Gay.

“I’ve been focusing on touring,” shares the native Saint Paul, Minnesota songwriter.  “We’re [playing] New Orleans, Birmingham, Nashville, St Louis, Kansas City and a couple of stops in Nebraska.”

Doyle was delighted to be among the star-studded performers at The Blue Ox Music Festival. “It’s just a really beautiful experience, and it was a lot of fun.”  Sharing the stage with legends Sam Bush and Peter Rowan along with modern acts Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway was a performance highlight. “I was honored to be a part of the lineup.”

Launching her career in 2022, she was named one of First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2023 and Emerging Artist of 2024 by Music in Minnesota.

Doyle, who has an EP and a handful of singles, says many people are unfamiliar with her music. “It takes a lot of footwork to build a crowd. There are a few audiences now that know certain songs, but for the most part, we are playing to crowds who are hearing the songs for the first time,” explains Doyle, who is actively building her following.

Most of her fan base is in her hometown. “In Minneapolis, where I started, there is more name recognition,” adding, “Anywhere someone is based is going to be their biggest draw.” The Saint Paul native says she wants to revisit areas. “We are working on coming through the same towns a couple of times a year.”

 “You just have to play where you can, " Doyle explains when asked about different audiences. “We play in a lot of different types of rooms. We’ll be in a barbecue joint one night, a listening room the next, and a honkey tonk after that. You have to read the room and go with it.”

Doyle reveals that motels are not the only place to stay on the road.

“If we have friends who live in the [towns] we’re playing, we will crash at their house,” shares the singer.

As a former event coordinator, Doyle is familiar with the traveling lifestyle. “I wasn’t playing out until a few years ago, but prior to that, I was working on the road a lot with event productions.

Doyle admits that she needs more time to write songs. “I try to do a little bit of writing consistently. It’s been a busy summer, so I haven’t done as much as I’d like to. I’m going to slow down in the fall and focus more on writing.

“It’s tough spending so much time in the business side of [music] and have to flip your brain over and be creative.”

Doyle says new songs have to fit.

“As soon as I finish a song, I will try it out with the band, and if it’s a good fit, we will throw it into the set,” shares Doyle. “Half the set are… songs we haven’t recorded yet. It’s exciting to bring a new song to the band and hear it come to life!”

Although she released her EP Stranger in 2024, Doyle is not ready to record an album.

 “We currently don’t have anything else recorded. It takes a [long time] to get a record together. I am looking at being able to do it at some point. My goal for the next record is to be really intentional about it. I want it to be cohesive.”

Doyle, whose struggle with self-doubt caused her to quit music in the past, feels that playing has been a huge help.

“It was definitely a stronger presence when I first started playing again,” Doyle recalls about her low self-esteem.  “Playing music has been very healing. I had to confront that head-on. Playing has given me a reason to dismantle those beliefs.”

The Minneapolis native shares that the years spent away from music had an effect. “I felt like once I did start playing I had to make up for lost time.

“I want to take the next couple of months and slow down with shows. I’m hoping to focus more on writing and being creative as opposed to running a business.

“I hope what comes out of it is a deepening relationship with my songwriting—maybe even some good ideas for a record.”