Back in June we wrote about DUG, the folk project of California multi-instrumentalist Johnny Pickett and Scottish-US songwriter Lorkin O’Reilly, and their much anticipated debut full-length coming via Claddagh Records/Decca. The project has won huge acclaim in its short life, earning Grammy nominations and support slots for the likes of Willie Carlisle and Iron & Wine, and previous single ‘Livelong Day’ was a good example why. What we called “a glimpse at a so far unseen darker dimension of DUG” which was nevertheless imbued with a brightness too, the track reimagined ‘The Legend of Knockgrafton’ folk tale with a personality of its own. “[‘Livelong Day’] finds its protagonist sobering up amid a drunken dance in a faerie ring,” as we wrote, “and while the tone might be slightly heavier than previous tracks, it is one nevertheless leavened by its playful spirit.” That is, the perfect introduction to a duo as interested in new avenues for folk as they are its long history.
DUG have now announced their debut, titled Have At It!, will be released in September, and offered the title track to further whet appetites of fans. A world away from the darker tones of its predecessor, the single offers an infectiously bright sound which repurposes gospel sensibilities for the contemporary age. Existential musings delivered with toe-tapping rhythm and unapologetically sincere vocals. “Have At It! came from a text message my dad sent to our family WhatsApp group during COVID,” O’Reilly explains. “At the time, there was that short phase when everyone thought COVID could spread through surfaces. My mum was really worried, so she decided to get a will written. She took a photo of it and shared it in the group chat. In response, my dad sent a picture of his will—a napkin with the words ‘Have at it!’ scribbled across the front.”
Watch the video directed by Ellius Grace below:
Have At It! will be released on the 19th September via Claddagh Records/Decca and you can pre-order it now.
Photo by Rosie Sco