Dáithí O'Cléirigh

Who is Dáithí O'Cléirigh?

Dáithí O'Cléirigh is a freelance session musician, producer, percussionist and drummer originally from Dublin, Ireland. Presently based in Helsinki, Finland, he produces, composes and performs with many locally based artists.

He was featured as a recording musician, drummer and percussionist for the Wabanag album 'Ulodi', produced by Roni Martin in 2004 on the Box Co-operative label; a unique World Music album which blends traditional Native American Wabanaki Métis music with modern contemporary styles. In the music of Wabanag, hand drums, rattles, bows, wooden sticks, flutes, and other traditional instruments are used sparingly along with vocals and strong rhythmic lines. Most of the songs are in Native American languages and refer to the natural elements and the spiritual world of the native people from the Maritimes, as well as to their traditional way of life. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best International Album at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in 2005. He performed and toured nationally and internationally with the band until 2007.

He has also performed as a session musician for various bands throughout Ireland since the mid-nineties, including tracks on the album Hi-Lo for The Walls, which was released on Earshot Records in May 2000. He also featured on the hit single Broken Boy, released in September 1999 on the same label. Other Irish artists he has composed and performed with include such luminaries as Eamonn Dowd and The Racketeers, Bird, The Funky Souls, Loose Booty, Greg Pearle, Blink, and The Keltic Posse. He has also worked as rhythm section accompaniment with Detroit bassist and producer Jerome Rimson, and on various recording and performance projects with the American funk-style songwriter Pete PAMF. Other hip hop and dance music artists he has worked with include recordings and collaborations with DJ Wool, and DJ Mek of Scary Éire, pioneers of Irish hip hop.