Downloadable Press Kit                                        

“…Tasker is one of the guitarists of his generation.” Maverick

“…in Iona Macdonald’s singing resides a loveliness that cannot be taught.” Rolling Stone

“…Mines the best of Scottish and American musical influences.  Like the great Joni Mitchell they leave the listener simultaneously sated and devastated.” R2

The unique sound of Doghouse Roses lies in the threads that connect British folk music and Americana.  Their latest album, “This Broken Key”, Released  in November 2010, was supported by the Scottish Arts Council, and demonstrates the stark beauty of acoustic minimalism with the richness of a rhythm section.

Their next release is scheduled for mid 2012 on their own Yellowroom Records label,

Doghouse Roses recent 2011 performances include tours of Germany in March and the Netherlands in May and October , as well as appearances at Edinburgh International fringe and a showcase Scotland appearance at Celtic Connections in January.  Previous years of near constant touring including showcases at Popkomm in Berlin and a series of shows with Richmond Fontaine, and The Willard Grant Conspiracy among others, have formed Tasker and Macdonald into a completely balanced unit.

Soon after meeting in 2005, Paul Tasker and Iona Macdonald started playing music together. Iona describes their musical meeting of minds as, “a happy accident”. “We were a couple first and very quickly realised that we were compatible musically too. We’re both traditionalists, but not in the traditional sense. We look at music through the same eyes and find beauty in the musical moments that defy definition. Perhaps that’s why we often find our own sound difficult to define.”

On stage, whether playing as a duo or as a full band, the nature of Tasker and Macdonald’s relationship with music comes to the fore.  “It was important to us, if we were going to invite anyone to play with us on a stage that they are more than just musicians to us.  Their musical background isn’t as important to Doghouse Roses as their relationship to the music is, and their connection to us.”  This is clearly seen when looking at who Tasker and Macdonald have chosen to work with in the years since they formed Doghouse Roses.  The debut album, “How’ve You Been (All this Time)?”, was recorded and produced by award winning composer Malcolm Lindsay, who In June 2009 received a Royal Television Society Award for the score for ITV series Unforgiven.  Malcolm joined Doghouse Roses on stage at Celtic Connections 2009, along with Sharon Hassan, former member of Dochas and an RSAMD graduate.  The band made their second Celtic Connections outing in 2011, opening for Raul Malo in the 1200 capacity ABC1.  This time the duo were joined on stage by Jen Cunnion (vocals) of punk-country outfit The Dirt, Brian McEwan (bass) and Stu Kidd (drums), former members of the infamous BMX Bandits, and Alan Scobie (keys) of the formidable Skerryvore.  Alan Scobie also recorded and produced the second album, “This Broken Key”.

Like so many of their contemporaries, the couple has chosen a cottage industry approach to the way in which they manage the business of making music.  To date, they have released 2 albums and 3 EPs on their own label, Yellowroom Music, and secured distribution with Proper Distribution in the UK and with Rough Trade in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.  Combining this with a strong commitment to live touring, which has seen the duo play hundreds of gigs across the UK and Europe, isn’t always easy, but Macdonald claims it’s worth it.  “We make music because we love music, not because we love paperwork and red tape.  There are times when it becomes so frustrating that it breaks your heart, but all of that melts away when you’re in the music.  It’s our passion.  If you’re not willing to give up an easy life for something you care so deeply about, you might as well give up altogether.”

Not content with the demands of running a label and life on the road, Tasker and Macdonald have also lent their talents to other musical projects. Tasker recently conributed banjo to "My Kind of Paradise" by Brian Hughes which won album of the year at the British Country Music Awards 2011.  The duo have recorded guest appearances on numerous releases, including “49 Arlington Gardens”, by Nick Garrie (Elefant records, 2009), which was produced by BMX Bandit Dulgas T Stewart and Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub, and the Willard Grant Conspiracy album “Pilgrim Road” (Loose Music, 2008).  Their latest collaborative outing has seen Tasker and Macdonald contribute to the album “Traditionals” (In a Cabin With, 2011), the brainchild of Dutch music projects “Onder Invloed” and “In a Cabin With”, which also features numerous top-flight Dutch musicians.

So what does the future hold?  Tasker says, “We’re looking forward to exploring the potential of a full band, but keen to also retain the ability to perform as a duo.  In the end, as always, we’ll head in the direction that the music takes us and that’s exciting.  Music’s more interesting when you don’t know quite where it’s going to lead you and that’s the beauty of it… the not knowing.”.

For all press enquiries and information, please contact

Paul Tasker   07763 164 123           
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.jameshsoars.com

For G/A/S booking enquiries please contact
Christian Bohm
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For BeNeLux booking and press enquiries please contact
Matthijs van der Ven
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All other enquiries
Paul Tasker:  07763 164 123
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Highlights 

2011 - Doghouse Roses 6 piece band play at 1200 capacity ABC1 at with Raul Malo at Celtic Connections
2010 - Release of second album "This Broken Key" and first full band show at album launch
2010 - Folk & Blues Part 2 wins best single/EP category of Fatea end of year awards
2009 - "the Traditionals" music project with "in a Cabin With" and Onder Inlvoed"
2009 – Sold out show at Celtic Connections, Glasgow
2009 – 26 date tour of Netherlands & Germany
2008 – Runner up in “Best Group” category of Fatea records end of year awards
2008 – Appearance at Popkomm, Berlin
2008 – Featured artist on “Good Morning Sunday” on BBC Radio 2
2008 – Headline show at Glasgow Americana Festival
2007 – European Tour with The Willard Grant Conspiracy of UK, NL, DE, Be, Aus

Collaborations

2010 - Contribute banjo (Tasker) to "Whats Going on" from "My Kind of Paradise" by Brian Hughes (UK Country Music Association album of the year, 2011)
2009 - Contribute mandolin (Tasker) to "Ride The Tide" by Neil Sturgeon and the Infomaniacs
2009 - Willard Grant "Scissors Paper Stone" touring band
2009 - "In a Cabin With" - Dutch based Traditional music project with In a Cabin With and Onder Invloed
2008 – Willard Grant Touring Band (Macdonald) for Pilgrim Road Album Release
2008– Contribute guitar (Tasker) and Vocals (Macdonald) to Elefant Recordsrelease “49 Arlington Gardens” by Nick Garrie  (ER-1140 CD Digipak / LP)
2008– Vocals (Macdonald), guitar, production, and engineering (Tasker) onB-side of Much Obliged Records release “Amorino” by Ally Kerr (MOR-003)
2008 – Guitar (Tasker) on Smoked Recordings release “Tree Tumble Wake Mother” by Davie Lawson.  Release autumn 2009
2007 – Guitar, mandolin (Tasker) and vocals (Macdonald) in Willard Grant quartet touring band
2006– Vocals (Macdonald) and guitar (Tasker) on Loose/ Glitterhouse Recordsrelease “Pilgrim Road” by the Willard Grant Conspiracy (VJCD179)

Discography

November 2010 - This Broken Key (YLLWRM-007)
1. Atonement
2. Woodstock
3. Trouble Gathering
4. Thunder of the Dawn
5. Twisted Wheel
6. The Rain
7. Blue Moon on The Mountain
8. Any Kind of Love
9. Survival
10. Evermore
11. Devil in Me
12. The Highwayman

December 2009 -     Folk & Blues Part 2 (YLLWRM-006)

1.     Diesel Engine

2.     Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor

3.     Blackwaterside

4.     First of April

5.     Both Sides of the Tweed

6.     Wayfaring Stranger

January 2009 –    “How’ve You Been (all this time?)” (YLLWRM-005)

1.    Gone There

2.    All I Knew

3.    Greener The Grass

4.    Pilgrim’s Tale

5.    On My Mind

6.    Stalling

7.    Border Hills

8.    Happiness

9.    On The River

10.    The Earth & The Breeze

May 2008 -         “Greener The Grass / Years” (YLLWRM-004)

1.    Greener The Grass

2.    Years

September 2007 -     “Folk & Blues Part 1” (YLLWRM – 003)

1.    Sycamore Tree

2.    Ae Fon Kiss

3.    Nine Hundred Miles

4.    Fairground

5.    Ye Jacobites

6.    16 Tons

September 2006 -     Doghouse Roses EP (YLLWRM-002)

1.    Happiness

2.    Rises & Fall

3.    The Whistle Song

4.    Evermore

5.    Wee Instrumental

6.    As The Crow Flies

7.    Nottamun Town

Selected Press Quotes

“Tasker's soundtrack mines the best of Scottish and American musical influences,at one moment homespun and folksy, at another bluesy… Perhaps thestandout track is the tender, piano-led "Stalling" which, like a greatJoni Mitchell tune, leaves the listener simultaneously sated anddevastated" – Trevor Raggat, Rock & Reel (UK Nov ’08)

"VocalistIona Macdonald has an ethereal voice that gives songs like ‘Gone There’an almost Clannad-like feel, while guitarists Paul Tasker and MalcolmLindsay play with a level of expertise that immediately puts them headand shoulders above many similar bands. " – Brett Callwood, AcousticMagazine (UK Oct’ 08)

"The prefix "Nu" never promises anythinggood, when it refers to music.  "Nu" stands for: modern adjustedhabits, also for flatness.  NuJazz, NuSoul, NuFolk.  The British duoDoghouse Roses gladly describe themselves as the latter, however, theirtunes run deeper than that and in Iona Macdonald's singing resides aloveliness which cannot be taught and sometimes reminds one of JacquiMcShee.  Can't be bad." - Wolfgang Doebeling Rolling Stone, Germany(Feb `09)

"This debut makes good on the promise that they aresomething a little bit special. Macdonald sings with an effortlessclarity and the aching expression of Natalie Merchant at her mostmournful. It’s atmospheric stuff that strikes an engaging balancebetween tradition and contemporary storytelling," – Rachel Devine, TheList (UK Oct `08)

"If there were a society of the promotion forDoghouse Roses, I would propose for the membership immediately.Explicit recommendation" - Gerd Wenzel, Melodie & Rhythmus (GermanyFeb `09)

“Ethereally, purely, almost angelic. With this voicesinger Iona MacDonald carries flawless melodies with contemporary textswhich are sweet-talked by Paul Taskers virtuoso guitar playing” - Peter Sester - Kurier Karlsruhe (Germany, Aug. '08)

"Thechemistry is obvious between Scots country-blues duo Paul Tasker andIona Macdonald. Tasker’s guitar plucking is perfect backdrop toMacdonald’s crystalline vocals. The mood is sombre and reflective butBorder Hills and the jaunty Happiness lift the mood. A great debutalbum. **** ” – Avril Cadden Scottish Sunday Mail (UK, Oct `08)

"DoghouseRoses present a seamless mix of folk, blues, country and Americana withthe folk factor ultimately pushing through. Macdonald’s voice is prettyand pure, and folk trailblazers Pentangle comes to the fore on thetrack Happiness with its beguiling vocal melody and Bert Jansch-styleguitar” – Fiona Shepherd, The Scotsman (UK, Oct `08)

“Greatthings are happening on the UK folk scene at the moment, and thisaccomplished debut album by Scottish duo Paul Tasker and Iona Macdonaldshould be heralded alongside the best of the new releases.” – NicOliver, MusicOMH.com

“An acoustic record with a stark sound,this duo should be on Folk on Radio 2 - you will have to travel a longway to find a better folk record.” – Americana-UK

 “Perhaps mostsurprising is “The Great Deceiver”, which draws in Tasker’s bluesy,Bert Jansch-style guitar before Iona Macdonald’s vocals steer the songaway from American country twangs toward a British Folk tradition…” –Alan Morrison, Sunday Herald (article previewing release of “PilgrimRoad”)

“…a highlight is “The Great Deceiver”, a gospel duet with(Robert) Fisher and Iona Macdonald pleading for God and saviour beforethe massed voices of a choir.” – Rob Hughes, Uncut (review of “PilgrimRoad”)