After a whirlwind first year as a band, DUG — comprised of Conor (Lorkin) O'Reilly (Guitar) and Jonny Pickett (Banjo) — have already made an indelible mark in the Americana-folk world.

From selling out Whelan’s and opening for acts like Iron & Wine, Amble, and The Scratch within their first year as a band, DUG’s journey has been quite extraordinary. The pair have driven themselves over 8,000 miles on cross-continental tours across the US, Ireland, and the UK, all with just two songs to their name.

On the latest release, DUG double their musical output with two new tracks: Original single “Wheel of Fortune” and a spirited rendition of the American traditional, “Country Blues” renamed “Good Time People.” Both tracks were produced by Belfast singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside, who also lends his fiddle and vocal talents to the recordings. “Wheel of Fortune” further distinguishes itself with a soaring choral arrangement by students from TU Dublin, conducted by GRAMMY-winning producer Ben Rawlins, who mixed and mastered the tracks. The album artwork is designed by Barry Gibbons.

Reflecting on the creation of the single, Conor O'Reilly shares:

"Wheel Of Fortune was written as a sort of counterweight to our first single 'Jubilee'. I've always loved songs that are written around a strict structure. When the structure works, the writing becomes similar to painting by numbers except none of the designated areas are numbered. It's a mixture of creative freedom and captivity. When you’re restricted in how you can say something because of structure, more emphasis gets placed on how the lines relate to each other. The mechanics of the song work as one unit together as opposed to a set of individual stand out lines. The puzzle is never ending. I’m sure there will be more DUG songs like this in the future."

Following the single's release, DUG will embark on a 13-date headline tour of Ireland, with support from Seamas Hyland, concluding with a special headline performance at the newly reopened Ambassador Theatre on April 25th.

DUG - TOUR DATES

Tickets: https://dugband.com/shows

Feb 27 – Brees, Strandhill 

Feb 28 – Roisin Dubh, Galway

Mar 1 - The Green Room, Dingle (Matinee Show) (SOLD OUT)

Mar 1 - The Green Room, Dingle (SOLD OUT)

Mar 7 – Cleere’s, Kilkenny (LOW TICKETS)

Mar 8 – Winthrop Avenue, Cork (LOW TICKETS)

Mar 14 – Dolan’s, Limerick

Mar 15 – Pot Duggans, Ennistymon

Mar 21 – Abhainn Studio, Enniscrone (Matinee Show)

Mar 21 – Abhainn Studio, Enniscrone (SOLD OUT)

Mar 22 – The Duncairn, Belfast

Apr 11 – Bank Lane, Waterford (VENUE UPGRADE)

Apr 24 – De Barra’s, Clonakilty

Apr 25 – Ambassador Theatre, Dublin

DUG | Added to “Folk & Country”

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