ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
After releasing his impressive solo debut Simple Drop of Rain in 2018, Canadian-based, Irish folk singer-songwriter Michael Darcy returned to the studio with his new band ‘The Atlantic Tramps’ in tow for the eagerly-awaited follow-up album, Down to the Roots. Drawing from the well of rich Irish music that he grew up with and also being inspired by gritty American songwriters like John Prine & Guy Clark, he aimed to create a whirlwind of folk traditions — where greengrass meets bluegrass. Released in July 2022 to critical acclaim, Down to the Roots was described by UK magazine Folk and Honey as “an excellent album; well-crafted songs with detailed arrangements brought to life with virtuosic flair.” Irish Music Magazine raved that “Darcy’s originals sit so comfortably within the genre that you’d swear they’ve been around for generations.” The album also garnered a 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for ‘Traditional Singer of the Year’ while his original song “The Ballad of Uncle Frank”, from the same album, was nominated for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2023 Ontario Folk Music Awards.
Michael tours both solo and with The Atlantic Tramps. Most recently, the band completed the final leg of their 2023 US tour performing several shows in Michigan & Illinois, after already having played festivals and theatres in Ohio, New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania earlier in June. They also embarked on a successful Irish summer tour in August 2023 which included a packed show at the historic Cobblestone venue in Dublin as well as festival performances at the Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar and Féile na Sionainne in Athlone. 2022 saw the band receive a scholarship to attend the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Missouri where they performed multiple showcases at the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. In March 2022, their single “Sweet St. John’s” was featured on the popular St. John’s Morning Show for CBC Radio One in Canada. In 2021, they were honoured to be the only Canadian artists presented at the international Robinson Emerging Artist Showcase at North America’s longest running pan-Celtic festival – Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. The new album was supported by a full Ontario solo summer tour.
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