Tim Hughes talks to The Corrs band member who just lives for performing

Sharon Corr can’t hide the excitement she feels at having stepped out of the shadow of her multi-platinum selling family band, and forging her own musical career. “This is pure joy for me,” she says. “I loved doing what we did in The Corrs but my solo journey makes me feel incredible fulfilled and alive and just myself.”

With her two younger sisters and older brother, The Corrs became a global sensation with an instantly lovable fusion of Celtic folk and pop.

Scoring a pair of chart-topping studio albums (two more reached number two), and six top ten singles among their 12 top 40 hits, The Corrs became one of Ireland’s most successful musical exports of all time — their appeal bolstered by startling good looks and laid-back Irish charm.

Since 2006, singer and violinist Sharon, lead singer and tin whistle player Andrea, percussionist and singer Caroline, and violinist, pianist and guitarist Jim, have been on what is charitably known in the industry as an extended hiatus — with siblings instead diverting their attentions to raising their own families Sharon, however, is busier than ever.

Despite having two kids of her own, the Dundalk singer-songwriter has released two solo albums and is a year into a world tour which is about to reach Britain, with a date at the O2 Academy Oxford, on Monday.

“It feels fantastic,” she tells me. “I first released this album in Brazil and have being touring the world ever since. I’m really looking forward to the UK — it’s my home from home!”

The album The Same Sun follows her Top 40 debut Dream of You, but finds her in a less folky frame of mind.

“As a songwriter, I’m learning new things all the time and progressing forward,” she says. “Some of my earliest influences are showing up in my songs now — like my mother singing Carpenters songs to me — or Dusty Springfield.

The folk influence is still there but in a new way. I’m very interested right now in the late 1960s and ‘70s Laurel Canyon shift in songwriting that emerged in reaction to the rigidity and oppression of the ‘50s and early ‘60s. There were amazing artists like Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Carole King, all folky but so real and experimental and from the heart.

I feel that movement is like the blueprint for great songwriting. My trad Irish influences are with me on stage every night. The violin is my second voice and a huge part of what I do.”

And while bound to appeal to fans of the family firm, Sharon insists it is very different to anything she did with her siblings. “This is uniquely my own journey,” she says. “I love following my music down my own path, discovering new ways of doing things and new ways of expressing myself on stage.

“I love my sisters and brother dearly but I don’t look back — otherwise I think you miss the good stuff that’s happening now, and the chance to do new things and experience more.

“I am developing as a writer and singer and player all the time. It’s an exciting time for me.”

So can we look forward to a return of The Corrs? “There are no plans,”

she says. “They are now all on their own journey.”

“We do all the lovely family stuff together, though — birthdays, christenings and so on. It’s lovely and I’m so glad that we still get on and enjoy each other’s company. We achieved something truly incredible together and I’m very proud of that.”

Does she have any highlights of her time with the band? “There are so many!” she laughs. “Performing for, and spending time with, Nelson Mandela was amazing — and a true honour. Then there was touring with the Stones, singing with Pavarotti, and selling out six Wembleys in record time! Wow, there are soo many more — it’s too hard to choose.”

When did she realise that the family had hit musical gold? “When you sell out six Wembleys you know you’ve made it,” she says, still excited at the memory. “I remember trying to take it all in and focusing on it because I knew this was extraordinary and didn’t want it to pass by in the blur of all that we were doing at the time.”

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And, while she insists there was a lot of hard work, it was all worth it. “It’s always worth pursuing some-thing you love — no matter how hard,” she says. “I live for performing; it makes me feel so alive.

The travelling is nuts, though, and I’m constantly juggling — trying to work out how to do this and that, and keep my lovely kids happy and content.”

She goes on: “I will be on a tour bus for the next two weeks with a bunch of blokes. It’s gonna be fun!”

And while she coyly admits her girl-next-door beauty hasn’t harmed her chances, she insists there is more to her than a pretty face.

“That’s hilarious!” she says, embarrassed at the compliment. “I am just me and way more interested in just doing what I do. I’m a singer, a songwriter and a musician, and it’s important to me and as an example to my kids that I work hard to be the best I can at that. The other stuff is just fluff. Nice fluff!”

She is more forthcoming when I ask her the secret of her success as an artist — whether alongside her siblings or alone. “Writing the best songs you can and working like a demon,” she answers. “I believe that success at what you do is not an expectation, it’s only ever a possibility if you work beyond working and give it your all. It’s also about loving utterly what you do.”

And there’s no question about how well it has gone down. “I suppose all over the world they appreciate good music,” she says. “People particularly identify with the spirit of Irish music which, I think, is very uplifting and emotional.

“I believe in delivering something very true, honest and heartfelt on stage. Everyone recognises the truth when they see it and are touched by real emotion.

“What I love about touring the world is I get influenced by new music all the time — this tour started in Brazil a year ago — I had never been before and absolutely loved it. I discovered an amazing Brazilian composer called Cartola there — I’m now playing one of his pieces all over the world every night on stage.

“Since Brazil I’ve toured Europe — New Zealand and North America, Canada too. All these places bring fresh inspiration and new challenges.”

And what can fans expect from the gig?

“Expect a great show!” she says. “The show I do has many twists and turns — I will do some of the Corrs songs I wrote, a blend from my two solo albums, some traditional pieces and one or two covers.

“The show is very dynamic and goes from full band to just myself on piano and vocal. This show is the real thing. There are no backing tracks, no auto tune — just us doing what we do... and loving it!”

Sharon Corr
O2 Academy, Oxford
Monday 22 September
Tickets: £17.50+fee
www.ticketweb.co.uk