Born of love, myth and traditional folklore, Day of Embers is a duo of Celtic and global seafaring rhythms interlaced with age-old family tales of love, survival and justice. Combining the multi-instrumental talents of singer-songwriters, Welshman Daryl James, and Dawn, a bewitching vocalist of Canadian, Irish and Indian descent, DoE weaves spectacular harmonies with banjo, mandolin, slide guitar, wooden flute, piano and accordion.
While Daryl and Dawn were born on opposite sides of the globe, their musical roots transcend borders, coming together in a rich tapestry of rousing ballads interwoven with ancestral lore that is inspired by true events. Each of their songs is a chapter of an epic journey featuring two characters whose love prevails. From the cliffs of Derry and mountains of Snowdonia, through battles, storms and treacherous seas, to the wild woods and rocky roads of the Americas, DoE takes the listener on musical adventures that are as lyrically engaging as they are tuneful.
Lovers in life and music, Daryl and Dawn gravitated to one another to process hardship and escape into a wonderland of song with their folk fable characters who face their fears and challenges with brave, open hearts. Nominated for a Queensland Music Award in the World Music Category, Daryl and Dawn recently embarked on their next musical adventure – returning to their homelands of Wales, Ireland and Canada, reconnecting with family and folklore – inspiring their soon to be released second album.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES / AWARDS: The duo and their song
'Oceans Apart' featured in
Apple TV Series 'Last Seen' - 2026,
Woodford Folk Festival (Dawn) 2012/13, 2017/18, 2019/20 & Upcoming,
Bushtime - Woodford Folk Festival - 2021/2022,
Gympie Music Muster - 2025,
Tamar Valley Music Festival - 2026 (Upcoming),
Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival - 2025,
Coondoo Mountain Campout Festival - 2024 & 2025,
The Salty Sirens Present: Day of Embers (Concert Series) - 2025,
The Heard (Concert Series) - 2025,
Bob Dylan Tribute Show - 2025,
Maleny Music Festival - 2024,
Neurum Creek Folk Festival - 2023 & 2024,
The Tablelands Folk Festival - 2024,
Headspace (Concert Series) - 2024,
Troubadour Wagons Solstice Celebration - 2024,
Song featured in ABCSL National Launch & Broadcast - 2024,
Wolvi Stomp - 2023,
Tastes of Moreton Bay Festival - 2023,
The GAS Festival - 2023,
Newstead Roots Festival - 2023,
Park Vibes (Brisbane City Council) - 2023,
Mt Glorious Mid-Winter Festival & Fundraiser - 2023,
The Heart Collectors Autumn Festival - 2023,
O'Heart Festival - Tyalgum - 2021 & 2022,
Townsville Folk Festival - 2022,
The Front Room - North Wales - 2022,
The Acoustic Lounge - Southport UK - 2022,
Cowichan Fall Fair - 2022,
Red Arrow Brewing - Vancouver Island August Residency - 2022,
Gulgong Folk Festival - 2022,
Triffid Garden Residency - 2021-2022,
Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival - 2022,
Glastonbury (Daryl James - Buffo's Wake),
Blues On Broadbeach Festival (Daryl James) 2021,
Laura Street Festival - 2021,
Palm Creek Folk Festival - 2011 & 2017,
The Cultural Festival (Dawn) 2017 & 2019,
Summer Solstice - 2021,
Reclaim the Night (Dawn) 2019,
Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival,
Ash Grunwald Support Act (Daryl James) - 2021,
Karise Eden Support Act (Day of Embers) 2021,
Nick Oliveri Australian Tour (Daryl James) 2019,
Jeff Martin Support Act (Dawn),
The Tea Party Support Act (Dawn),
Pete Murray Support Act (Dawn),
The Grates Support Act (Dawn),
Queensland Music Awards 2022 - World Music Nominees,
agIdeas Award Winner (Dawn),
Department of Communities & Housing - Highly Commended Award (Dawn).
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Úna Heera (Full Band) -
https://youtu.be/U15t7Z0En6kWORKSHOPMusic is Magic is Medicine Day of Embers presents a healing song writing workshop that nurtures participants as they demonstrate the transformative experiences of music as catharsis - a means of acknowledging, processing and healing the past, while opening up a clearing of light and hope for the future.
Day of Embers and their song 'Oceans Apart' featured in the TV series, 'Last Seen', released on September 9, 2026.
