One of Ireland's best-loved traditional bands, Dervish emerged out of Sligo at the beginning of the 1990s and quickly earned a reputation for their fiery live shows, strong musicianship, and tightly crafted arrangements. Portraying a strong DIY spirit, the band issued a string of high-quality self-released albums throughout the '90s and 2000s, earning fans around the world through hard touring and appearances at both folk festivals and major rock festivals like Brazil's Rock in Rio and England's Glastonbury. After nearly three decades and 12 self-released recordings, Dervish signed with Rounder Records to issue The Great Irish Songbook, their guest-heavy tribute to their country's most enduring songs. The group initially formed in 1989 under the name the Boys of Sligo. In 2018, after operating without a label since 1991, Dervish signed with American folk and roots music specialists Rounder Records. Their first release for the label, The Great Irish Songbook, features a number of high-profile guests including country singer Vince Gill, Americana star Rhiannon Giddens, and U.K. songwriter David Gray, among others. Later that year, BBC Radio 2 bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Dervish for their achievements over 30 years.

 

 

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The John Byrne Band is led by Dublin native and Philadelphia-based John Byrne. Their debut album, After the Wake, was released to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011. With influences ranging from Tom Waits to Planxty, John's songwriting honors and expands upon the musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. John and the band followed up After the Wake in early 2013 with an album of Celtic and American traditional tunes. The album, Celtic/Folk, pushed the band on to the FolkDJ Charts, reaching number 36 in May 2015. Their third release, another collection of John Byrne originals, entitled "The Immigrant and the Orphan", was released in Sept 2015. The album, once again, draws heavily on John's love of Americana and Celtic Folk music and with the support of DJs around the country entered the FolkDJ Charts at number 40. Critics have called it "...a powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you have heard it" (Michael Tearson-Sing Out); "The Vibe of it (The Immigrant and the Orphan) is, at once, as rough as rock and as elegant as a calm ocean..each song on this album carries an honesty, integrity and quiet passion that will draw you into its world for years to come" (Terry Roland - No Depression); "If any element of Celtic, Americana or Indie-Folk is your thing, then this album is an absolute yes" (Beehive Candy); "It's a gorgeous, nostalgic record filled with themes of loss, hope, history and lost loves; everything that tugs at your soul and spills your blood and guts...The Immigrant and the Orphan scorches the earth and emerges tough as nails"