“Dirk Powell is a badass. To the bone. He is, in addition to being the greatest old-time banjo player alive, a graduate student of both mountain and Cajun fiddle styles, and diatonic button accordion. He is a singer, songwriter, producer, recording engineer and, all in all, an artist of unique vision and unbending integrity. As far as I can tell there is no genre of American roots music that Dirk doesn’t understand, no primordial mode he can’t master, no polyrhythmic code he can’t crack.” - Steve Earle
LATEST NEWS!
Hello everyone! Please check the TOUR page for exciting updates. The summer was stunning on so many levels. Lots of gigs across Europe and the US, plus lovely times recording wtih Amelia Rose Powell and Rhiannon Giddens. So many projects in the works and one that has been released on a limited scale for now — On Jupiter, by Amelia and me, featuring Sophie Jo Powell. Highlights of the summer include our performance in Rome and explorations of Sardinia, plus magic times back in Ireland, Wales, and England. Now we’re focused on fall runs to Arkansas, Cape Breton, the Northwest (with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms) and the Northeast (with Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman). Grateful and hope to see you all soon!
“When I Wait For You is so absorbing it could only come from that rare combination of technical brilliance and joy of collaboration that Dirk Powell has in abundance.”
— Folk Radio UK
“Steve Earle has called fiddler, guitarist, and banjo player Dirk Powell an “artist of unique vision and unbending integrity” while Joan Baez has said he possesses “an overdose of talent.” You may well be offering similar plaudits after listening to this lilting Americana/folk release.”
— Americana Highways
“Instead of women being objects and victims, the women in Powell’s songs are the ones with the power and are fully realized humans, active participants in the stories being told.”
— No Depression
Dirk’s latest album, When I Wait for You, is available on Vertical Records, in the U.K and Europe, and Compass Records in the U.S and Canada. Co-produced by Donald Shaw, featuring original material recorded in Louisiana and Scotland with special guests Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker, Sara Watkins, Rhiannon Giddens, Amelia & Sophie Powell, and many more!
I Ain’t Playing Pretty Polly -Single and Video out now!
Check out Dirk’s video for ‘I Ain’t Playing Pretty Polly’