Spotlight On... DARA DUBH

Following the release of void – her collaborative single with Edinburgh producer Haquin – we catch up with Edinburgh-based, Northern Irish musician Dara Dubh

Feature by Tallah Brash | 18 Jul 2024
  • Dara Dubh

We first learned of DARA DUBH (pronounced 'da-ra doo') when she got in touch about her debut single, the super catchy harp-led indie-pop tune Where Do You Go? Released last October, a collaboration with Brodie Barclay (My Raincloud) followed earlier this year. 

DARA DUBH is also part of Kohla's Popgirlz-fuelled live band – she played a Wide Days showcase at the start of May, as well as on our Pyramid Stage takeover at Kelburn Garden Party at the start of this month. DUBH is exceptionally talented on the harp, letting it soar and twinkle when it needs to, but not scared of its more experimental possibilities. With a new D'n'B-infused instrumental single out earlier this week – a collaboration with Edinburgh producer Haquin – and a solo appearance at Sneaky Pete's tonight (Thursday 18 July) as part of an Off the Record showcase, it felt like time to get to know DARA DUBH a little bit better.

Can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself, who/what inspires you as a musician and how did you end up learning to play the harp? 
My artist name is DARA DUBH. I grew up in a wee town in the North of Ireland called Ballycastle. I first got into music at the age of five, after encouragement from my parents to start playing traditional Irish music. After moving to the fiddle at seven, I discovered the harp at 11. When one of my music teachers got their daughter a harp, I got the chance to have a go. I took to it very quickly and knew this was an instrument that I wanted to give a proper go. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by people who inspire me. My sister also plays music and I have two amazing creative parents. In Edinburgh, a lot of my close circle either play music, or are big supporters of music. I have extremely talented friends who I am in awe of when I see them perform.

You moved to Edinburgh in 2019. What drew you here, and what have the last five years been like?
I moved to Scotland to explore what opportunities may present themselves outside of Northern Ireland. Initially, I planned to study in Glasgow, but after a course at Edinburgh College was suggested to me, I applied late, got in late and it ended up being the most perfect course for me at that time. Edinburgh College exposed me to an environment of playing music all the time and really helped me discover my passion for music again.

By the end of 2021 I was still in College and playing music full time, playing at a host of events from small pub gigs to high-end corporate events. Although I had written bits and pieces of my own music, I had no idea of how to go about producing and releasing original work until 2023. With help and advice from my peers, I was able to record two songs in 2023 – Where Do You Go? and My Raincloud, featuring Brodie Barclay.

Since embarking on my original music endeavour, I put my band together in January, exceeding all my expectations of how it would kick off in Edinburgh! I put a “to-dubh” list together for 2024 and have been ticking off my goals quicker than I could have imagined. I am very excited for what more is to come.

Photo of DARA DUBH and Haquin standing back to back in front of a brown patterned backdrop.

Image: DARA DUBH x Haquin by Alessandro Gitto

The new single – void – with Haquin feels very different to your previous singles. How did the collaboration come about, what was it like working with Haquin, what inspired the track and why have you gone down an instrumental route on this occasion?
Haquin is a friend and has produced all of my tracks thus far. I love his style and had intended on doing a collaboration with him at some point. After playing with the riff and some chords for a while, I knew I wanted it to be an instrumental track that was experimental and had a real electronic feel to it. All the music I create is centred around the harp.

For this body of work, which will see five tracks out by the end of September, I wanted to break up my singer-songwriter work with a tune that demonstrates the versatility of the harp, and how it can blend into contemporary music. When first meeting with Haquin to work on void I said, “I want to make a weird D’n’B track”. He responded with, "Alright, let's do it!"

This is your second collaborative single. What is it that you love about collaborating with other musicians?
I am very lucky to know some incredibly talented musicians in Edinburgh. I also love working with people. I love sharing music with others and believe some of the best work comes from bouncing ideas off other people. Sometimes when I write a song or tune, I can hear someone else’s taste or vocals in it. When writing My Raincloud, Brodie [Barclay] was the first person who came to mind when thinking about the style of the writing. We went on to co-write it and his vocals really brought the song to life.

My next release is in collaboration with the wonderful Nat Cartier and it's a banger. I have also had the pleasure of recording and performing with some of my favourite people and musicians, including featuring on a track for Slow Karma and working on a few different bits with my good friend, the legendary Eve Simpson.

You’re playing as part of this week’s Off the Record showcase – can you tell us what we can expect on the night?
Expect a harp-led power trio. With Toren Wallengren on drums and Jonny Richardson creating weird and wonderful sounds on the bass, we cover all basis of genres, with two common threads; the harp and the twang of Northern Irish vocals. This will be my first showcase, and I am extremely excited to continue sharing the original music I have been working on. One of the songs is a spoken word/rap about the conflicting feelings of coming from a small town.

And what does the rest of the year look like for you? Are there more shows and new music in the pipeline? 
This year has been so full of highs already and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon! I love to perform live, so I have plenty of upcoming dates. My next headline show is at iconic Edinburgh venue Sneaky Pete’s on 27 September. On 31 July, I'm performing at HMV, Oxford Street, London for JBLxMartin Garrix Music Academy Showcase after being selected as one of their Top 10 Artists in the UK.

I have been selected to play at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo alongside another harpist, being the first harpists to ever perform for the Tattoo. I am playing several festivals this year, including King Tut's Summer Nights supporting Kirsteen Harvey on 11 August, Lindisfarne (Festival) on 31 August for Kohla, and Outwith Fest in Dunfermline on 7 September.

I have two more tracks coming out by the end of September, one in collaboration with Nat Cartier. I am hoping to secure funding to work on a more traditonal Irish-inspired album, whilst continuing to write more contemporary pieces.


void is out now
DARA DUBH plays Off the Record @ Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh, 18 Jul; King Tut's, Glasgow, 11 Aug; Lindisfarne Festival with Kohla, 31 Aug; Outwith Fest, Dunfermline, 7 Sep; Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh, 27 Sep

Follow DARA DUBH on Instagram @daraplaysharp