COMING HOME. Noor Shami (center) returned to the places where her music career first began, right here in the Midwest, during the Bittersweet Tour this spring. The tour began with a show at First Avenue in the Twin Cities, and was followed by two performances at intimate venues — The Plus and Racy D’Lenes Coffee Lounge — in Eau Claire. (Photo by Storm Film)

In a return to her musical roots, Noor Shami, known as clovers daughter, has arrived to the city where her individual sound first bloomed. After some years away from the Midwest — pursuing music on stages across the country — she brings with her a new collection of songs to share with local audiences.

“It's been really nice to go back to (these) very small, very intimate venues and play the music that inspired me to write — and be in the town that pushed me to make music.”

Shami, a UW-Eau Claire graduate, has spent the most of her post-graduate career honing in on her craft as an artist. She draws musical inspiration from artists like Olivia Dean, Lana Del Rey, and Novo Amor, who delve into the emotional narratives of everyday life.

Her debut single, “Are You Coming Home,” had recently been released when we last spoke with Shami, captivating local listeners with her songwriting prowess. As of April this year, clovers daughter's debut five-track EP, Bittersweet, has been out for listeners to explore.

Bittersweet EP Cover, by clovers daughter

The extended play (EP) features the debut single and several other ballads, all of which explore themes related to Shami's early career experiences in the industry — particularly her time in Eau Claire.

“(Eau Claire) gave me the opportunity to really explore myself on stage,” Shami said. “It’s been nice to know the time and energy that I spent in Eau Claire — focusing on my craft — continues to carry on, now as an artist outside of (the city).”

Shami chose the EP title to reflect personal feelings about these ebbs and flows, a motif many listeners will find relatable.

The duality of the word “bittersweet” brings Shami comfort; for her, it embodies the counterbalance of love and loss alike, along with bringing a new layer of vulnerability to her sound.

“I am putting really vulnerable lyrics and really vulnerable songs out there for the world, which can feel a little bitter,” Shami said. “It’s also very sweet, because I'm finally achieving my dreams and doing what I love the most — which is music.”

Over the past month, Shami embarked on the Bittersweet tour and traveled across the country to celebrate the EP's release and engage with long-time and new fans of her work.

"(Eau Claire) gave me the opportunity to really explore myself on stage. It’s been nice to know the time and energy that I spent in Eau Claire — focusing on my craft — continues to carry on."

NOOR SHAMI

VOCALIST, CLOVERS DAUGHTER

Hunter Ribeiro, an Eau Claire guitarist and friend of Shami’s, joined her through the Midwest leg of her Bittersweet tour, sharing the stage at First Avenue in Minneapolis and two intimate venues in Eau Claire: The Plus (208 S. Barstow St.) and Racy D’Lenes Coffee Lounge (404 Riverside Ave.).

“Performing with Noor in Eau Claire was great, it felt like we were right back at it,” Ribeiro said. “It’s such a pleasure to exist at a time when she does as well.”

Ribeiro first began performing with Shami during their shared university days, well before "clovers daughter" became Shami's musical moniker. From early open mic performances to sharing songwriting ideas, Shami's production quality has consistently impressed him.

Shami (left) brought on Hunter Ribeiro (right), an old friend from Eau Claire, to perform during the most recent clovers daughter shows in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. (Photo via Instagram)

“Working with her makes me want to hit the ground running — she’s so inspiring and her work ethic is unbelievable,” Ribeiro added. “That, and her singing, she’s always had a wonderful voice; it’s so good to hear how good it sounds recorded.”

The name "clovers daughter" holds deep significance for Shami, as she embeds themes of good fortune and family heritage through the musical guise.

Shami, who identifies with the more superstitious side of life, was drawn to "clover" for its association with luck. The addition of "daughter" reflects her connection to the people who came before her. This title emphasizes the universal experience of being part of something larger than oneself.

"It feels right to tell Eau Claire (fans) first – I am releasing my first album, coming out in August. I'm excited for (the album) because it's a whole new switch – it's going to get people on their feet and dancing."

NOOR SHAMI

CLOVERS DAUGHTER, ON FORTHCOMING PROJECT

Attendees at one, or both, recent Eau Claire shows heard a collection of songs from the artist’s recent EP. What they may not have realized is that many of the tracks are influenced by the very spaces they gathered and set foot in. 

The first track on the EP, “Main Street,” draws from Shami’s time living at the crossroads of Farwell and Main Street in downtown Eau Claire.

Its lyrics — “drove down Main Street/looking through the old apartment/it was empty/packed in boxes stained with your red wine” — express themes of friendship, longing, and resiliency amidst life’s unpredictable changes.

“One of the main reasons I love music is being able to know that it's a shared experience of life,” Shami said.

clovers daughter, live at First Avenue in Minneapolis. (Photo by

Noah Albricht)

Although her tour is coming to an end, local listeners can anticipate new sound from clovers daughter on stages across the Midwest. Not only does she plan to relocate back to Minneapolis in the coming months — a bittersweet (we had to say it) and exciting upcoming change — but a new sequence of music is already in the works.

On June 18, clovers daughter released new single, “Like a Criminal,” with a sonic pivot from her previous works. This new track alludes to the synth, dance, and pop-driven genres that currently inspire her forthcoming album.

“It feels right to tell Eau Claire (fans) first — I am releasing my first album, coming out in August,” Shami said. “I’m excited for (the album) because it’s a whole new switch — it’s going to get people on their feet and dancing.”

Stay up to date on future releases from clovers daughter on music streaming platforms and the artist’s social media (@cloversdaughter) online.