Guitarist Paul Tasker & singer Iona Macdonald formed Doghouse Roses, in late 2005 after one too many nights listening to old music whilst drinking red wine. They soon developed a sound that lies in the spaces between Pentangle and Fairport Convention, with a nod to Gillian Welch on the way. Doghouse Roses have released two EPs to date and their full length debut, “How’ve You Been (All This Time)?” was released on the 6th of October, and preceded by a single, “Greener the Grass / Years”, in May.

The first Doghouse Roses EP was recorded in their kitchen after gigging extensively around Scotland, England and Holland. Released in September 2006, this EP featured five original songs, one instrumental and the traditional folk song “Nottamun Town”, previously recorded by such legends as Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention, Jackie Leven and Roger McGuinn. The quality of this eponymous debut was recognised when noted folk music site FATEA named it runner-up in the Best Single/EP of the Year category of its annual awards that year..

In September 2007, Doghouse Roses released a second EP, “Folk & Blues part 1” and embarked on a 25 date European tour with US “folk-noir” band, the Willard Grant Conspiracy. Tasker & Macdonald appeared as Doghouse Roses in the support slot and played as members of the headlining Willard Grant Conspiracy at sold out shows. Doghouse Roses have since returned to Germany for their own tour as headliner, and performed at a Popkomm showcase in Berlin in October 2008.

Both Tasker and Macdonald are accomplished performers in their own right - Paul Tasker began playing the guitar after hearing legendary guitarist Bert Jansch in a Glasgow working men’s club in the early 1990’s. He has played hundreds of gigs, from backing fiddle players to playing a telecaster in a “folk techno fusion band”, and in 2004, as songwriter and guitarist for Sal, Paul won a coveted Danny Kyle Award at the Celtic Connections festival.

Iona Macdonald has gained acclaim as a distinctive and accomplished singer with “vocals reminiscent of such folk luminaries as Sandy Denny and Linda Thompson” (Americana UK, Feb 2007). Her growing reputation has led to Macdonald being much in demand as a session singer, and recently performed with Howe Gelb and featured on the Willard Grant Conspiracy Pilgrim Road tour She and Tasker recently spent time in the studio with 60s icon Nick Garrie, working on his first album in 40 years since the release of the “lost classic”, ‘The Nightmare of J B Stanislas’, and both appear on the critically acclaimed WGC album, “Pilgrim Road” where they have been singled out for praise in reviews for their contributions.

The duo recorded their album of 10 original songs, “How’ve You Been (All This Time)?”, with producer/composer Malcolm Lindsay, who has previously written and arranged for The Delgados and The Willard Grant Conspiracy, and, among numerous credits for TV and film music, scored the Ewan MacGregor film, “Young Adam”, with David Byrne. The album has been very well received in its reviews and the band was awarded the “Featured Artist” spot on BBC Radio 2’s “Good Morning Sunday” in September.

all enquiries: info (at) doghouseroses.org