Cara Dillon.
HAILED as one of Ireland’s truly great singers Cara Dillon will be performing in An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny this Sunday night.
Cara has just released her brand new album A Thousand Hearts so expect to hear some new tracks as well as songs from her extensive back catalogue.
Born in Dungiven in 1975, Cara was brought up in a musical family immersed in the rich cultural heritage of her native County Derry. Having won the All Ireland Traditional Singing Trophy aged only 14 she went on to sing with Oige, De Dannan and then Equation. It was in this band that she met her husband and musical collaborator Sam Lakeman.
She has successfully steered an eclectic musical path defying the typical pigeonholes that hinder most artists in her genre. Celebrated for entwining traditional and contemporary elements she has earned both commercial success and critical acclaim.
She’s won countless awards and accolades including “Album Of The Year” at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, The Meteor Music Award for “Best Irish Female”, and Tatler’s “Woman Of The Year in Music”.
Always looking to introduce her voice and music to new listeners, Cara’s topped the charts with dance remixes, guest appearances and, more recently, presented her songs with full orchestral backing bringing her music to an entirely new audience.
Recent years have seen her return wholeheartedly to her Irish roots creating fresh interpretations of traditional standards with stunning results. Her reach is truly global with fans to be found all over the world with her clear, Northern Irish voice even seducing giants such as Disney who, in 2010, asked her to sing the title song to the animated movie “Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue”.
Joe Francis from Cornwall (left) and Martin Smyth from Malin: Winter Mountain.
Also performing on the night are folk duo Winter Mountain. Hailing from the shores of Cornwall and Donegal, Winter Mountain are Joseph Francis and Martin Smyth. They blend melodic folk songs, heartfelt lyrics and two voices in a sound reminiscent of a time before digital recording when the emphasis fell on the importance of live performance, the power of harmony and the essence of the song. The duo share song-writing duties, their individual styles, like their voices juxtaposing yet beautifully complimenting the other.
Cara Dillon and Winter Mountain perform at An Grianán Theatre on Sun 25 May at 8pm. For further information or to book tickets call the theatre’s box office on 074 912 0777 or see www.angrianan.com.