HER album Dream Country was one of the underground hits of 2017. Almost a love story to Wyoming, Sarah Darling’s crystal clear vocals conjured up images of big skies and wide open spaces.

Now the rising country star is heading to Manchester as part of her biggest UK tour to date, backed for the first time by her full band.

“I’m truly excited about this tour because to date my fans over here have yet to hear Dream Country the way it was when it was recorded,” said Sarah. “It’s very special to me, being able to express the songs the way they were meant.

“Also I’m doing quite a few dates so I can become a resident for a while - I think I’d best bring my jumpers with me though. I don't think it’s warm as it is in Nashville!”

Dream Country marked a career defining period for Sarah who has been a figure in the American country scene for several years.

“Dream Country was the first independent project I put out on my own,” she said. “I produced it with good friends and people I like to make music with. The songs were really about the healing process, about me finding my way again in music.

“I suppose it was almost therapeutic in a way and written at a time when I needed those songs.

“If you look at older stuff of mine, Dream Country is a lot different. I was able to say ‘this is me’ and the reaction I’ve got has been amazing.”

To even her most ardent UK fans Sarah is a relative newcomer, first coming to their attention when she supported British country sisters Ward Thomas.

But in her native America there is a huge buzz around her - earlier this month she was invited to play at the home of country music, the Grand Old Opry, for the 90th time!

“I’m not quite sure how that’s happened, I can’t quite believe I’ve done 90 shows there,” she said.

“But the Opry is like a family. When they get behind somebody, they get behind you for life. It’s not just about what’s popular at a particular time. They really get behind an artist and it’s such an honour to play there.”

The fact that she remains relatively unknown to UK audiences is part of the appeal of the current tour.

“That’s what is so fun,” she said. “I get to reintroduce some of the older songs which have been a huge part of my career in the States but are new to audiences in the UK.

“I have been doing this for a few years now and the whole thing has been a growing process. As an artist you do put yourself out there and you find yourself growing in public.”

This month Sarah released her new single, Wasted, inspired by the problems alcohol caused a close relative.

“It’s a song that’s been around for a while,” she said, “and it’s definitely one of my more darker songs.

“I have been playing it live at shows and have had so many people come up to me saying how much it helped them. That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to release it as a single.”

Sarah has already written more new material and, once she returns to the States, will work on more songs with a view to releasing a new album later in the year.

Sarah Darling, Night and Day, Manchester, Tuesday, March 20. Details from www.nightnday.org