We sat down for a quick chat with Dara Dubh, who will be performing a set of brand new music from her forthcoming album, plus a few favourites from her popular back catalogue, at Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.
What can audiences expect from your Soundhouse Winter Festival set this year?
Audiences can look forward to a dynamic mix of music with a little something for everyone. I love exploring different genres and placing the harp at the heart of everything I do. My goal is to showcase the instrument freshly and unexpectedly—challenging how people typically see and hear the harp.
How has your sound evolved since you started performing with Toni McVey, Eve Simpson, and Brad Phillips?
Performing with a live band lets me expand my music in ways my usual one-woman loop pedal setup simply can’t. There’s nothing quite like sharing the stage with incredibly talented musicians—who also happen to be wonderful friends. It’s more fun, more spontaneous, and gives us the freedom to feed off each other’s energy while connecting more with the audience. Playing with Eve, Toni, and Brad has brought the show to life in such an engaging and joyful way—hopefully, the audience has just as much fun as we do!
Are there any particular themes or stories behind your new tracks you’ll be debuting at the festival?
I’m in the middle of recording my debut album right now. The album, and my performance at Soundhouse Winter Festival, explore stories of strong, powerful women and draw on my upbringing in a small Irish town. It’s very storytelling-driven, mixing real experiences with a few completely “Dara-made-up” tales. I’m so excited to share one or two brand-new, never-played-live tracks at this year’s festival. I have a feeling people might be a little surprised to hear the harp in this new sound with the band.
How does performing in an intimate venue like the Traverse Theatre influence your connection with the audience?
The Traverse is one of those venues that strikes the perfect balance between being intimate yet spacious. It’s the ideal setting for an attentive crowd, with just the right capacity to encourage real audience connection. It makes people feel like they’re part of the performance. When I’m in the audience, I love being able to see the musicians’ hands—the Traverse is perfect for that. I hope the audience feels that same sense of closeness and connection during the show.
What role do Scottish roots and traditions play in your songwriting and live performances?
Although I grew up in Ireland, I’ve built my music career in Scotland. It’s here in Edinburgh that I’ve really found my sound—playing in local pubs and blending my traditional Irish roots with the city’s eclectic Scottish music scene. My harp playing still carries all the traits of someone who grew up competing at the Fleadh Cheoil, and even in my singing, I hold on to traditional ornamentation and stay true to my own accent. Playing a traditional Scottish-Irish session on a Friday night in Sandy Bell’s will always be one of my favourite things—it never fails to inspire me. In fact, you might even hear a few nods to it in my songs.
What are you most looking forward to about sharing the stage with such a diverse line-up of Scottish artists?
Firstly, it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of such an incredible line-up of musicians. I have huge respect for Soundhouse and everything they do, so to play even a small part in WinterFest feels like a real privilege. I’m also really looking forward to sharing new music with everyone. Playing live is my favourite thing to do, and with this being my only full-band show in Edinburgh this year, I’m so happy to be sharing the stage with my pals and such a stellar line-up of artists, performing for a room full of wonderful music lovers. It’s going to be a class gig, and I’m hoping to catch some of the other acts over the weekend too!