DUG on their current obsessions ahead of Jameson Connects The Circle All Together Now show

Ahead of their Jameson Connects The Circle headline show at All Together Now, the Ireland-based American folk duo share the music they are buzzed about.

DUG are Californian Johnny Pickett and Scottish-American artist Lorkin O’Reilly and their most recent single is ‘Livelong Day’ on the recently revived Irish label Claddagh Records.

I featured their breakthrough song ‘Jubilee’ way back in February 2024 and the band’s melding of Americana folk and trad has won them many plaudits since.

DUG play the Jameson Connects The Circle stage at the sold out All Together Now this August Bank Holiday, and I asked the pair to share their recent music obsessions with us, in a feature we call Guestlist.

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What song did you hear this year that you wish you’d written?

Fionn Regan – Hunters Map
I was 18 and I remember exactly where I was. It was 5am and I was eating a banana on toast before heading out to work on the farm I was living on in Upstate NY. After I got home, I immediately went to my room to try to figure it out and failed.

I bumped into Fionn at a festival this summer and had to roll down my sleeves so he couldn’t see my tattoos of his words “Biting At Your Heels” (Conor)

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What is your song of the summer? 

The Ronettes – Be My Baby

With Brian Wilson’s death I’ve been listening to a lot of Beach Boys, but was also reminded of his insane love for “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes. Been thinking about him and listening to that song a lot. (Jonny)

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What’s your favourite track of your own right now?

“I’ve been enjoying playing the new single ‘Have At It!.

I’m excited for people to have access to it outside of the live show. I think there’s some fun moments in it. (Conor)

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What’s a song you’d love to cover from an Irish artist? 

Richie Kavanagh – Sally Doran’s Nelly Bike (Jonny)

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What artist on the Jameson Connects The Circle lineup would you like to collaborate with?

We did a show with Sean McKenna in Dundalk for Jameson a couple of weeks ago, he’s so so good! Sean – if you’re reading this hit us up 😉 (Conor)

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What is a song that’s always likely to get played when you grab the AUX cord? 

Rita Connolly – ‘Ripples in the Rockpool’ (Jonny)

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What film or TV show have you enjoyed lately?

I’m not massive on TV shows, mostly because I never finish them. If I’m trying to unwind at the end of the day it’s football in the bath. That is my sacred space. (Conor)

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What is a recent album you’ve been recommending to others?

The Button Collective – Make A Dead Man Sing (Jonny) [Australian folk band album from 2019]

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What was the last great gig you attended and why?

Leenalchi – a South Korean pop band that also blends elements of Traditional Korean music. It was a mental show! They played Workman’s and absolutely tore the house down. Two bass guitars, drums and three singers? I couldn’t recommend higher. Keep an eye out. I’m sure they’ll be back! (Conor)

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Who is a new artist you are most excited about…

Stephen O’Dowd out of Sligo. (Jonny)

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Have you been to ATN before and what did you love about it? 

Yes, I went in 2022 after just moving to Dublin. It was a wild time. King Gizzard stole the show for me. (Conor)

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Who else on the Jameson Circle Connects stage will you be checking out and why? 

Maria Somerville – her show on NTS is so good. (Jonny)

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What song do you want to hear at All Together Now this year?

Madra Salach – Spancil Hill

Saw them do this at Beyond The Pale and it was the highlight of the weekend. If you take anything from this go check them out! (Conor)

Click 11 minutes 40 seconds into this live video to hear it.

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DUG play Jameson Connects The Circle headline stage at All Together Now on Sunday August 1st to 3rd in Waterford.