AWARD-winning Cara Dillon always seems to be a busy lady either performing with a full band, as a duo with husband Sam Lakeman, as a trio or even with various orchestras.
The singer from Dungiven, Co. Derry is not the most prolific recording artist as there is a five-year gap between her last two albums.
Her 2009 release Hill of Thieves — on her own label — was a huge success winning Album of the Year at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards while Spencer the Rover from the album was nominated for Best Traditional Track.
She was also nominated for Folk Singer of the Year at the same awards.
Cara Dillon’s latest album A Thousand Hearts was released in May last year and interestingly it is also available on vinyl although it is considerably more expensive in this format. Nevertheless it is good to see vinyl making a steady comeback over the past few years with more artists giving fans a choice.
Fresh from performing at Dublin’s Tradfest in Temple Bar with her full band, Cara will play the following dates with her trio in February: London’s Cecil Sharp House (Thursday 12), Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury (Friday 13), Hailsham Pavilion (Saturday 14), Exeter Phoenix (Sunday 15), Nettlebed Village Club (Monday 16), The Met, Bury (Thursday 19), Selby Town Hall (Friday 20), Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal (Saturday 21).