Cara Dillon has one of those rare talents you only come across a handful times in your whole life. Her staggeringly beautiful voice has the ability to reach inside the soul of a song and imbue material with not only profound sweetness but also poignancy and depth.
Born in Dungiven in 1975, she was brought up in a close 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. The combination of Cara’s expressive vocals and Lakeman’s rippling piano and fresh production squeezed new life into ancient material. Their original songs sit happily alongside the traditional, reinforcing the debt they owe, whilst pointing to a distinct and distinguished musical identity all of their own.
It’s Cara’s unrivalled vocal talent and Sam’s musical and arranging skills that have seen them signed to major record labels since they were 19. First, Blanco Y Negro (Warners) and then the enviably hip Rough Trade Records who released her three solo albums to date, earning astonishing critical success and showering her with countless awards and accolades. In 2009 Cara set up her own record label, Charcoal Records and released the award winning Hill Of Thieves CD.
Whether she’s singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or their original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she’ll be there for a very long time.
Cara will be touring the UK during February/March/April 2012, see dates below.
Video: Cara Dillon @ Barnsley Acoustic Roots Festival 2011
Tour Dates
Friday 24th February – WINCHESTER
Theatre Royal Winchester, Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB
Tel – 01962 840440 Perf 8pm, Tickets £20.00
www.theatre-royal-winchester.co.uk
Wednesday 29th February – BIDDULPH ( Staffordshire )
Biddulph Up In Arms Concert, Biddulph Town Hall, High Street, Biddulph,
Staffordshire, ST8 6AR
Tel – 01782 514896 Perf 8pm Tickets £18.00 ‘Bring own drinks’
www.biddulphupinarms.com
Friday 2nd March – TRELAWNYD, Nr Rhyl (Flinshire)
Trelawnyd Memorial Hall, London Rd,
Trelawnyd, Nr Rhyl, Flinshire. LL18 6DN
Tel – 07899024162 perf 7pm TIckets £18.00
www.therecordjournal.co.uk
Thursday 1st March – BILSTON ( Wolverhampton )
The Robin 2, 20-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ
Tel – 01902 401211
www.therobin.co.uk
Friday 23rd March – BURY ST EDMUNDS
The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD
Tel – 01284 75800 Perf 8pm Tickets £18.00
www.theapex.co.uk
Friday 30th March – FARNHAM
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR
Tel – 01252 745444 Perf 8pm Tickets adv £18.00 Door £20.00
www.farnhammaltings.com
Thursday 5th April – PONTYPRIDD
Muni Arts Centre, Gelliwastad Road, Pontypridd, Wales, CF37 2DP
Tel – 0800 147111 Perf 8pm Tickets £17.50
www.muni-rct-arts.org