Born and raised in the rural village of Connel in Argyll, Joy was immersed in Gaelic culture from an early age and her solo album ‘Dùsgadh’ demonstrated her skill as an interpreter of the tradition after many years of exposure to Scotland’s Gaelic song heritage.

This is also reflected in the trio’s performances, which showcase traditional Gaelic material in a contemporary live setting. Audiences can expect to be treated to a beautiful blend of ethereal vocals and imaginative arrangements that allow even those not versed in this ancient language to experience the rich tapestry of Gaelic folklore.

A regular on the traditional music circuit, Joy has won numerous illustrious awards in her Gaelic singing career and is as much at ease entertaining audiences at local cèilidhs as performing at major festivals such as Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours and Glasgow’s Celtic Connections. In recent years, Joy has toured the UK extensively and also performed frequently in Ireland, Europe, Canada and New Zealand.

In addition to her solo work, Joy is a dedicated supporter of Gaelic choral music & Scottish step dancing. With an academic background in Gaelic language & culture development work, she is also increasingly in demand as a teacher, speaker and translator. Lately, Joy has become a familiar face in Gaelic broadcasting, appearing frequently on both television and radio, while her Gaelic journalism was commended at both the Scottish Press Awards and Highlands and Islands Media Awards, a combination of achievements that has raised her profile as a new Gaelic voice.

Tour Dates- Summer 201

August
· Thursday 12th SKYE Sabhal Mòr Ostaig: 9.30pm
· Friday 13th CAITHNESS The Ross Institute, Halkirk: 8pm
· Saturday 14th SUTHERLAND Skerray Village Hall, Skerray: 8pm
· Tuesday 17th GLASGOW Pivo, Pivo, 15 Waterloo St: 7.30pm
· Wednesday 18th ISLAY Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle: 7.30pm
· Tuesday 24th COLONSAY Colonsay Village Hall: 7.30pm
· Thursday 26th CARRADALE Village Hall: 7.30pm
· Friday 27th CUMBERNAULD Village Hall: 7.30pm

Fatea Magazine has recently reviewed Dùsgadh, read what they had to say below.

Joy Dunlop
Album:Dusgadh / Awakening
Label:Sradag Music
Website: www.joydunlop.com

“When songs are performed in a language you are unfamiliar the ability of the voice to carry emotion and texture becomes paramount. Without that tonal quality it’s too easy for an album to become one dimensional, regardless of how beautiful the voice is. Gaelic presents additional challenges, particularly when sung by women as the language has become typecast as ‘generic fantasy’ by so many film and program makers. Fortunately Joy Dunlop avoids the pitfalls, “Dusgadh Awakening” is an album that is delivered with a real passion, real heart and spirit.”

Fatea Magazine

Joy is thrilled that Dùsgadh is The Scots Magazine’s album of the month. Read their review below and what others have said about her debut album on the reviews page.

Dùsgadh (Awakening) is the debut release from Joy Dunlop, a power in the Gaelic arena, as a singer, lecturer, journalist, TV actor and even dancer. I feel oddly humbled about even opening my mouth abut such a paragon, and i can’t help thinking that some might feel that after such hype, any performance, no matter how good, must be a let-down. Well hard luck on the greetin’ faces, it isn’t: Joy tackles everything with assurance, confidence and elegance, backed up by a group of musicians of consumate skill. Gaelic learners will be heartened to find bilingual lyrics. Definitely one for everybody with even the slightest interest in the music of the Gael.

Alasdair MacLean
The Scots Magazine
July 2010