Western New York-based singer-songwriter and former contestant on “The Voice,” Cami Clune, has performed the national anthem at Sabres and Bills games for years, but one poignant moment this spring propelled her into the national spotlight. Some artists would call it a Spinal Tap moment, but when her wireless mic cut out, the crowd stepped in and helped save the day.
Clune said. “I felt very supported, like I wasn’t just alone with me and the microphone dealing with a mishap.”
Clune kept singing, unsure whether the broadcast feed was still live. “I wasn’t really sure exactly what was happening… so I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to keep singing just in case,’ ” she said. The moment, which went viral, became a reminder of Buffalo’s unique culture, shaped by its proximity to the Canadian border.
But it wasn’t just tourists from the Great White North who joined in on the sing-along. “I think everyone in Buffalo knows the Canadian anthem,” she laughed. Well, at least the Sabres fans do.
The moment likely introduced Clune (whose last name is pronounced “KLOO-nee”) to a larger audience who may not have seen her on “The Voice,” but music fans in Western New York are already familiar with the rising star.
Clune’s schedule is packed with solo shows, duo gigs, and full‑band performances in and around Western New York. She performs a mix of covers and originals, which is all part of being an independent artist.
“It’s what I do full time,” she noted. “I get to have fun while making money that I can put toward making my music. I’m fully self‑funded, and I’m proud of that, but it’s hard.”
Her versatility as a pop, rock, country singer‑songwriter has occasionally led people to suggest she concentrate on one genre.
“People try to put you into a box,” she said. “I have a hard time fitting into it. I’ve always looked at myself as a chameleon,” she added. “No interesting music has come out of putting yourself into a box.”
Clune’s debut album, “Should Be Sleeping,” dropped on July 10. Written largely during the summer of 2023, the project chronicles heartbreak, nostalgia, and the emotional parts of young adulthood.
“My album was mostly written in the summer of 2023 when I was going through heartbreak,” she said. “Each song has its own story and its own purpose; it’s a narrative.”
The most personal track, she says, is “To the Grave.”
“It’s very specific and very much my stream of consciousness at the time,” she said. “It’s stripped down to a guitar and then builds into this huge emotion.”
While the songs come from real experiences, Clune hopes listeners find their own meaning. “These songs can mean anything to anyone else,” she said. “They’re feelings that I think are pretty universal.”
Like many emerging artists, Clune has worked hard to find an audience for her original music.
“It’s just finding where it fits in the set and trying to keep people engaged,” she said. “I want to share my original music, so I like to incorporate it into the cover sets whenever I can.”
And when someone sings along to one of her originals?
“I’m always shocked,” she said. “If I can touch a couple of people with my music, that’s really what I feel like my purpose is.”
With professional representation, a packed summer calendar, and her first full project ready for release, Clune is poised for the next phase or viral moment in her career.
“I’m grateful for every opportunity that I have and every gig that someone places in front of me,” she said. “I’m excited that my first original full project is going to be out.”
“Should Be Sleeping” is available on all streaming platforms.
Clune can be found on social media and at her website under Cami Clune.