A member of the internationally renowned Sands Family from County Down, Colum established his reputation as a songwriter with the release of his first solo album, Unapproved Road in 1981. Songs like 'Whatever you say, say nothing', and 'Almost Every Circumstance' were soon in the repertoire of artists from Billy Connolly to Maddy Prior and June Tabor.
Colum has performed in over thirty countries around globe, confirming the universal appeal for the songs and stories with which he observes the minute and often humorous details of life. On his travels around the world he discovered that many of his songs had arrived before him, carried by other singers and in recordings by fellow performers like Andy Irvine, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, Roy Bailey, Mick Hanley, Gerard van Maasakkers, Rosemary Woods, Iain McIntosh and Enda Kenny.
‘The March Ditch’, Colum’s second album, inspired a special BBC television documentary and songs like The Man with the Cap and Looking For The Loan Of A Spade confirmed his unique ability to observe locally and appeal universally. Eight albums later, in 2012, Colum took time out from touring and his weekly radio programme to write and record his ninth album, ‘Turn the Corner’.
Visit Colum's web site.
"Colum Sands is a universal storyteller who draws on a long Irish tradition of poetic musicality to weave songs for the world."
". . . Colum's gift is of breaking down cultural barriers through choice words and eloquent music." - John O'Regan, Rock 'n' Reel
“An unforgettable, wonderful performer. I've just seen him play to 2500 people in the Australian National Folk Festival's biggest venue and make everyone feel as if they were sitting in his lounge room. He's warm, witty, moving and funny” - Steve Barnes Director Fairbridge Folk Festival
