Deirdre Graham

“Deirdre’s singing is always assured and has a rare clarity; she makes you hear songs in a different way.” - The Living Tradition Taking a contemporary approach to Scottish Gaelic singing, Deirdre Graham’s raw and emotive vocal performances combine with rich orchestration to evoke powerful themes in song and story. Her 2020 debut album, URRANTA (bold, daring, intrepid) is a triumphant homage to the composers of Gaelic songs who spoke out boldly in reaction to war, political struggle, exile, and who championed female empowerment and love. Through an expansive soundscape featuring strings, piano, percussion, and electronic elements, the songs of URRANTA are elevated from their traditional beginnings into a fresh, contemporary sound. Deirdre’s passion for the story behind the songs resulted in her self-produced podcast series, Gaelic Song Stories (2021), in which she interviewed revered tradition bearers, historians, and local experts. The series resonated with a global audience and invited the listener into the heart and soul of the Gael (Highlander) and gave a deep sense of connection to Scottish culture, family, and heritage. Alongside her solo work, Deirdre has enjoyed collaborating with many artists over the years, including Niteworks, TradBeats, and Kapil Seshasayee, and is currently working on a songwriting project with Chamber Music Scotland. "Gorgeous and ethereal Gaelic vocal." - Music Republic Magazine