Daithí O’Dronaí is an Irish multi-instrumentalist producer that has long had a fascination with capturing organic sounds and samples.
Breakout hit ‘Mary Keanes Introduction’ in 2015 heralded an exciting new voice on Ireland’s electronic scene, leading to a host of show-stealing festival appearances across the country and beyond.
In time, Daithí’s name became synonymous with raising the bar for the live dance experience, mixing in unique elements like his signature fiddle – a symbol of his traditional Irish upbringing – alongside a chorus of talented musicians who elevate songs that have been purpose-built for a widescreen arena.
2019’s L.O.S.S. album – the producer’s second full-length effort – sparked fresh life in Daithí, from the undeniably personal to the universally cinematic.
“The sound matured a lot at that time,” he notes. “It added deeper emotion. Whereas before it was all about a song constantly having to hit new heights in a conventional way, I found the music becoming more introspective, like it was leading me instead of the other way around.”
L.O.S.S. would receive critical acclaim, ultimately landing a Choice Music Prize nomination. A clutch of international tour dates would be unavoidably curtailed by a global lockdown, though Daithí used this time to regroup.
He constructed the popular artist's retreat The Beekeepers in his home county of Clare. He started a new band, ‘HousePlants’ with Bell x1’s Paul Noonan, which led to a second Choice Music Prize nod. He branched out into composing scores for films. He took up photography, which informed the vision of his next album.
Set for release in 2022, I’m Here Now is both the culmination of a journey that began many years previously, and the beginning of a bold, visually focused new chapter.
“I feel like I’m more connected to where I’m from than I’ve ever been,” says Daithí.
“There’s all of these facets that have inspired my music – my bread and butter has been about taking culture and history and mixing in the personal – if I’m tracking a lot of different parts of my life, if I’m trying to search for the different parts of myself right now, I needed to revisit these places and these people – you’re the sum of your parts right now.”
That sentiment is reflected in the music, a deft collision of Daithí’s propensity for storytelling, capacity to reimagine the environment around him, and the ability to open up his world to those who seek escape.
“Once you stop yourself from trying to control every little detail, once you realise that the music can answer your questions and create exciting new ones – there’s a beauty in that.”
