DUG releases debut LP and announces tour

DUG is a transatlantic meeting point where Irish and American folk traditions collide to form something exciting and new. The duo brings together Scottish-American songwriter Conor Lorkin O’Reilly and Californian multi-instrumentalist Jonny Pickett, who first connected in Dublin in 2023 after years of pursuing their own musical paths.

Conor had already enjoyed a successful solo career, clocking more than twenty sic million Spotify streams across his catalogue and touring extensively throughout Upstate New York before returning to Ireland in 2022. Jonny, an accomplished banjo player with a passion for roots music, arrived from California, and their partnership quickly blossomed into DUG.

Before a single track had even been released, the project had already built its own mythos; the pair sold out two shows at Whelan’s in Dublin purely on word of mouth, hinting at the powerful output of their live chemistry. Their sound draws equally from the troubadour tradition of Americana and the stately lineage of Irish folk, pairing resonator guitar, banjo and intricate fingerpicking into a shared musical language.

Their debut singles established them as a duo of rare promise with “Jubilee” earning shortlist nominations in two Grammy categories in 2024, Best Americana Roots Song and Best Americana Roots Performance. Follow-up tracks “The Big Sundown” and “Livelong Day” further strengthened their reputation, blending poignant lyricism with immersive arrangements that confirmed their knack for balancing storytelling with sonic beauty.

Now, with their debut album titled Have At It! released via the Claddagh Records and Decca imprints, DUG step fully into their own musical world. Home to the likes of ØXN, Lemoncello and Niamh Bury, Claddagh has long been a bastion for forward-thinking folk and DUG’s signing feels like a natural fit. The record captures their dual heritage, moving between Irish and American influences while instilling the energy that’s made their earliest shows so compelling.

This summer, their growing reputation was further bolstered by standout performances at Electric Picnic, Wilderness and Moseley Folk Festival. Each set built on the strength of their live presence, where exquisite musicianship and engaging storytelling merge in front of audiences. With momentum building, DUG now announce their most ambitious run of shows to date.

Their Have At It! tour will see them perform across the UK, Ireland and the USA throughout November and December. Alongside previously announced dates in Australia, Dublin and London, the duo will headline new shows in Glasgow on November 20th as well as Leeds, Manchester and Bristol over the following three days. The tour will conclude with an extended series of Irish shows in December, a fitting homecoming for a project forged in Dublin’s folk scene.

Beyond their own headline run, DUG will also join The Wood Brothers on a major US tour, including stops in Chicago, Minneapolis and Knoxville. It’s a significant moment for a duo who have, in just a short time, established themselves as vital new voices in the folk music sphere. With Have At It! marking the beginning of their recorded journey, DUG are set to carry their transatlantic folk vision far and wide, fusing two traditions and backgrounds into one compelling new story.

Listen to Have At It! below