SEE IT LIVE. clovers daughter, the indie alternative music project led by Noor Shami of Minneapolis, Minn. (also a UW-Eau Claire alum), will kickoff their tour at 6pm on Aug. 23 at The Venue (209 S. Graham Ave., Eau Claire). That show will feature Out of Character, clovers daughter's sophomore release demonstrating an evolution into louder, guitar-driven musical sound. (Artwork for "The Fraud," on Out of Character, pictured. Submitted photo)

The summer season began on a high note for Noor Shami, the creative behind indie pop and alternative project, clovers daughter. Now, firmly grounded in her home base of Minneapolis, Minn., the Palestinian-American artist was celebrated as The Current’s Artist of the Month in June – a timely prelude to the August debut of her sophomore album, Out of Character.

“A clovers daughter summer feels like driving with the windows down, guitars turned up too loud, gas-station snacks and sunburnt shoulders. It is a little chaotic, a little nostalgic, and constantly in motion,” Shami said of the summer months which followed this recognition.

“More than anything, a clovers daughter summer is about saying yes to the experience… and hopefully a lot of fun with a brand new album and a headline tour paired with it all.”

In line with the new album release, clovers daughter will head back out on the road, kicking off her tour in familiar music scenes with a first stop in Eau Claire. Shami will perform at The Venue (209 S. Graham Ave., Eau Claire), with musical support from Minneapolis artist anni xo and Eau Claire-formed band Asparagus.

Album artwork for Out of Character, pictured. (Submitted photo)

Out of Character, which will hit area record stores and streaming platforms on Aug. 19, adopts more of a self-aware stance through its lyricism and instrumentation, Shami said.

Compared to her first album – Am I Worth It? – and the Bittersweet EP, this new record navigates the many roles individuals assume in relationships and examines how easily one’s identity can dissolve while trying to fit into expectations.

“Out of Character feels more confrontational and self-aware,” Shami said. “The sound reflects that shift too. It is louder, more guitar-driven and dynamic – with moments that feel raw and more moments that feel experimental.”

To launch this new tour in the city she once called home feels particularly meaningful for Shami. More often than not, she credits the Chippewa Valley’s music scenes – its open mic nights and concerts in downtown Eau Claire – for acting as the launchpad for her current day music career.

“Kicking everything off at (The Venue) feels like a full-circle moment,” Shami said. “And of course, I’m excited to grab a coffee at Racy’s.”

Out of Character was co-produced with Navid Fana, and mixed and mastered by Tyson Agawa. Together, these multi-instrumentalists have crafted Shami’s most ambitious and honest body of work to date.

While the foundation of Out of Character cements its roots in the indie pop realm which has shaped early singles by clovers daughter, the record adopts new notions of what the genre can represent – with some Midwest heart and soul.

“The (Minneapolis) scene feels deeply community-oriented. Establishing a home base here has made me feel less like I am simply participating in a music scene and more like I am becoming part of one,” Shami said.

“There seems to be a renewed appetite for music that feels organic, emotionally direct, and connected to the artist behind it. I think Out of Character belongs within that evolution,” she continued. 

clovers daughter will perform alongside anni xo (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Asparagus (Eau Claire) from 6-1opm on Aug. 23 at The Venue (209 S. Graham Ave., Eau Claire). To purchase tickets for the kickoff date of the Out of Character tour ($15/person), visit volumeonetickets.org.