DKOS Artists Awarded a Danny for 2025 :- Alma. – Cuan a Tuath (North Sea). – Dàna. – Darach. – Liam Docherty. – Woodlands
ALMA
Alma is a new trio comprising of three independent singer-songwriters, Anna Cassidy, Marina Rolink and Ellyn Oliver who have come together over their love of lush harmony and considered songwriting.
Anna and Ellyn first met in 2020 competing at the Danny Kyle Open Stage, and more recently in 2024 a friendship between the three has blossomed though the Glasgow songwriting community. All three songwriters who are well-seasoned in performing around Scotland have now come together over the last few months to write original material which they are now ready to share with live audiences. Taking inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling and The Staves, the trio seek to create songs that are warm, honest, and thoughtful. This is all reflected in the root origin of their name, ‘Alma’, which means soul, heart and spirit
CUAN A TUATH
Brought up on the Isle of Skye, Séamus Ó Baoighill was introduced to Scottish Traditional Music through the many sessions around the Gàidhealtachd. He furthered his music at Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, Queens University Belfast, Berklee College of Music and most recently completed his masters degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Séamus was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award & winner of the 2020 Battle of the Folk Bands competition.
Kristina studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm during 2015-2020 where she completed her Bachelor and pedagogical studies in fiddle and traditional Swedish Music. Her passion for Irish and Scottish music began after a trip to Ireland in 2013, leading her to complete a masters degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2023.
Kristina performs solo and in international bands such as: Woodlands, Woodlands+ Bäckafall, Tern and Slängpolskekompaniet. In 2022, she collaborated and performed with Kristin Hagegård and Almas band at the Jerash festival in Jordan.
Kristina has also received the prestigious silver badge Zornmärket and earned the title of Rikspelman, master of Swedish traditional music.
DANA
Dàna are a new and exciting, all-female band based in Glasgow. The band’s name, meaning “bold” or “audacious” in Gaelic, perfectly encapsulates their vibrant sound and approach to performance. Dàna have spent the past few years honing their craft at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and immersing themselves in Glasgow’s vibrant traditional music scene. Comprised of fiddle, clarsach, whistle, and piano, each member of Dàna draws inspiration from their diverse regional backgrounds and dialects. Since emerging, they have quickly established a strong reputation, performing at numerous festivals and events across Scotland this year. Recent performances include, Carradale Music Festival, Under Canvas, MOKFest and Piping live.
DARACH
Darach’ is a new collaboration between Roo Geddes from Scotland and Hugo Franco from Galicia. Rooted in the traditional music of their homelands, they draw from various contemporary folk traditions to craft resonant music for fiddle and guitar. The duo’s first album is in its final stages of production and is scheduled for release early next year.
They were featured at this year’s Scots Fiddle Festival and performed their debut Scottish show to a sold out crowd at the Gathering South Sessions (Folk Club of the Year) in November. They have also featured at festivals across Spain including the Encordass Festival 2023.
LIAM DOCHERTY
About Me: I’m an official partner of Taylor Guitars and I have been playing publicly since the age of 7. I have performed at multiple music festivals including the Vancouver Folk Music Festival AGM and Vancouver Island Music Fest. I played my first music festival at 12 years of age. As a dual UK/Canadian citizen I now permanently reside in Scotland.
My debut album Modern. Magic. Melody. sold records internationally and received TV, radio, and print media time from CBC, Globe & Mail, Vancouver Sun, Time Colonist, and Chek TV. It also yielded a nomination for New Act of The Year at the Maple Blues Awards. At 13 years of age, I became the youngest person in the history of the awards to be nominated. I was also voted as winner of Best Original Song at the UK FAB Awards. My second album Gemini Rising was released in June 2023.`
My own music weaves together elements of folk, blues, and Celtic traditions. Inspired by artists such as Robert Johnson, Nick Drake, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Tommy Emmanuel and Tony McManus, I love performing original pieces and classics from the blues and folk canon fusing together storytelling, melody, and intricate guitar work. I also enjoy engaging with audiences by sharing stories of the artists and influences behind my music, whether it’s folk ballads, Mississippi Delta Blues, or my own original material
WOODLANDS
Woodlands combines Celtic folk music with the modern Scandinavian sound. With roots in Swedish folk music and classical music, Kristina Leesik and Justyna Krzyżanowska perform traditional and original tunes on clarsach, fiddle and vocals. Rhythmic drive, expressiveness and dreamlike sounds characterise their playing, creating a captivating soundscape that transports the listener to the Nordic pine forests and the stormy coasts of Scotland.
Kristina Leesik is a fiddle player, singer and teacher from Stockholm, Sweden and a graduate of the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In 2022 Kristina received the prestigious silver badge Zornmärket and earned the title of Rikspelman, master of Swedish traditional music.
Justyna Krzyżanowska is a harpist and singer from Stockholm, Sweden with a bachelor in classical music from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and a master’s degree in Scottish traditional music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is also sought-after photographer and videographer.