Dan Donnelly

Dan Donnelly
For the boxer, see Dan Donnelly (boxer).
Dan Donnelly
Origin Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genres Singer Songwriter
Years active 1994–present
Associated acts The Levellers, Oysterband, Joy Zipper, Roy Harter
Website [1]
Notable instruments
Guitar, Mandolin, Didgeridoo

Daniel Thomas Donnelly is a singer-songwriter.

Growing up in Belfast, Donnelly played in a number of local bands, finding success in Ireland with Watercress, a four piece acoustic folk-rock band for whom he played guitar, mandolin, percussion and "plumbing" (a home-made didgeridoo). They released six EPs between 1995 and 1998, when they released their one album, Bummer, all on their own local label, Creeping Herb. The Donnelly penned Candlemaker reached the No.1 position on the Irish Indie Chart. Watercress disbanded in early 2001 due to internal personal problems.

After the demise of Watercress, Donnelly moved to New York to pursue a solo career. He has so far released two studio albums, Bootleg (2005), and Yearning a Living (2007), which has received extensive airtime on BBC Radio, as well as one live album Live in NYC (2008). Donnelly has also played as a session musician for several artists including Joy Zipper. His recording and touring live band are known under the name, "Sonovagun".

In 2009 he returned to the UK to live, and settled in Exeter. In mid 2010 he revealed he had signed with record label IRL. In October he released the single 'Running', followed by the album Country & Northern in May the next year. He then relocated to Middlesbrough in the North East of England.

Dan has toured extensively, performing solo shows and supporting artists such as The Levellers, Oysterband, Seth Lakeman, Damien Dempsey, and Duke Special. He has also performed as part of the live bands of The Levellers, Oysterband and Joy Zipper. His own live band, Sonovagun, has included Ali McMordie of Stiff Little Fingers on bass guitar and television composer Roy Harter on keyboards and theremin.

Donnelly has become a favorite act on the UK summer festival circuit, having performed at Glastonbury Festival's Leftfield stage, Beautiful Days festival, The Big Session, and various festivals throughout Europe.

As a boy, Donnelly's main musical influence was The Beatles.

Discography

  • Bootleg (2005)
  • Yearning a Living (2007)
  • Live in NYC (2008)
  • Country & Northern (2011)

External links


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