Described by The Sid Valley Folk Show as “an absolutely stunning singer—a complete tour de force,” Macdara Yeates is one of a crop of young artists associated with the recent resurgence of traditional singing in Dublin City, alongside acts such as Lankum, Ye Vagabonds, and Landless. In 2012, Macdara became a founding member of The Night Before Larry Got Stretched, a Dublin folk collective counting such singers as Lisa O’Neill, Ian Lynch and Radie Peat (Lankum) among its earliest members. From 2013 to 2017, Macdara toured and recorded with seven-piece trad ensemble Skipper’s Alley, performing across the UK, Europe, India, Zambia, Canada, and the USA. 

With a booming baritone, described as “a crystal-clear voice that contains echoes of the declamatory style of Luke Kelly and the emotional depth-charge of Liam Weldon,”, Macdara’s debut solo effort marks a new arrival in the Irish folkscape. The singular ten-track record features a range of material; from lighter numbers such as Dublin comic song The Herrin’; to a haunting rendition of Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye, the 19th century anti-war ballad sounding ever relevant in today’s geo-political climate. Siobhán Long of The Irish Times writes; “Raucous, bawdy, reflective and wistful in turn, Macdara Yeates’s solo debut is a robust collection in which this Dublin singer revisits age-old tales and renders them anew with his own unforced imprint.”

Traditional Singing from Dublin is out now on all streaming platforms, with CD, vinyl and digital copies available to order via Bandcamp. 

"What a voice." RTÉ Folk on One

"Balladry in action. A true solo singing effort and a fabulous one at that." The Irish Echo

“Traditional Singing from Dublin is a candid, clear-eyed and uncluttered snapshot from a singer who is finally stepping into the spotlight.” The Irish Times

Instagram: @macdarayeates 
X: @darayeates
Facebook: facebook.com/macdara.yeates

Recorded at Sonic Studios, Dublin, June 2024

Produced by Daniel Fox
Mastered by Jamie Hyland
Cover Image by Colm Keating
Design by Dan MacDonald

Traditional Singing from Dublin (Private)

Folk singer Macdara Yeates releases his debut album, Traditional Singing from Dublin, on CD and streaming platforms on September 17th, 2024.

Described by The Irish Music Magazine as “a deep and powerful performer,” Macdara Yeates is one of a crop of young folk singers associated with the recent resurgence of traditional singing in Dublin City, alongside acts such as Lankum, Ye Vagabonds and Landless. In 2012, Macdara became a founding member of The Night Before Larry Got Stretched, a Dublin folk collective counting such singers as Lisa O’Neill, Ian Lynch and Radie Peat (Lankum) among its earliest members. From 2013 to 2017, Macdara toured and recorded with seven-piece trad ensemble Skipper’s Alley, performing across the UK, Europe, India, Zambia, Canada and the USA.  

With a booming baritone, described as “a fog-horn voice, that would be better suited to the mountain top than the pub corner,” Macdara’s debut solo effort marks a rare new arrival in the Irish folkscape.“This is no fireside singer crooning shyly to his shoes,” writes Niall Ó Lochlainn, “Macdara possesses a rare power and projection, with each note seemingly conjured from deep in his boots before cascading out into the world.” The singular ten-track record features a range of material, from lighter numbers such as the Dublin comic song The Herrin’, to a haunting rendition of Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye, the 19th century anti-war ballad sounding ever relevant in today’s geo-political climate.

Traditional Singing from Dublin is set for release on September 17th, 2024 on all streaming platforms. Physical copies available via Bandcamp. The release is followed by a tour of the UK and Ireland, beginning at The Hartlepool Folk Festival on October 4th and ending at The Night Before Larry Got Stretched at The Cobblestone, Dublin on November 7th.

releases September 17, 2024

Recorded at Sonic Studios, Dublin, June 2024

Produced by Daniel Fox
Mastered by Jamie Hyland
Cover Image by Colm Keating
Design by Dan MacDonald