Cara Dillon seems to have seduced the entire nation in just a few short, breathtaking, eventful years. Make that several nations, for among the rare ingredients of her irresistibly natural personality and mesmerizing ability to relate a great story in song, is an all-embracing quality that defies borders, cultures, and even languages.

Born in 1975 in Dungiven, Co. Derry, Ireland, Cara demonstrated her striking vocal ability in winning the All Ireland Traditional Singing Trophy at the tender age of 14 and a year later she was in her first band, Oige. They were pretty successful too. She went on to sing with De Dannan and then folk supergroup, Equation, joining the latter in 1995 as a replacement to Kate Rusby.

Equation (signed to Blanco Y Negro, WEA) seemed to be heading for the top, but the album they recorded 'Return To Me' didn't get a release. However, Cara had found her soulmate Sam Lakeman in the band and the pair decided to try their luck as a duo. They re-signed to Blanco and there followed a long and frustrating period as they experimented with writing and recording songs with a succession of top producers and songwriters around the world. However, none of the projects and collaborations seemed to fulfill the inner visions that Cara and Sam had developed, so after six years of being tied to a major label, they decided to abandon ship and set sail on their own. The world is glad they did.

“Cara Dillon, is without exaggeration, amongst the very finest to be heard today.”

- Folk Roots

“Blessed with a voice of unearthly beauty”

- Sunday Herald
 

"Every so often a singer comes along and stops me in my tracks making me look at music in a slightly different light.”

- The Living Tradition