‘Roads of Connemara’ by Dusty Wright
Dusty Wright’s new track, ‘Roads of Connemara,’ feels like a heartfelt journey.
Released just before St. Patrick’s Day, it’s being called his most folk-driven song yet—and it comes with a story that really tugs at the heart. Written during a bike trip through the stunning Connemara region of Ireland, the song captures both the beauty of the land and the memory of a close friend and collaborator.
The lyrics of ‘Roads of Connemara’ paint a picture of Ireland’s wild nature—from the bogs to the misty ruins, and from Galway to Clifden Bay. But it’s more than just a landscape song—it’s about the connections that happen along the way, with the land and the people. Wright brings this tribute to life with a nod to Irish folklore and Celtic mysticism, like when he sings, “We met kings and pirate queens, and the wolfhounds kept us safe at night from the wild banshees’ screams.”
What really makes this track stand out, though, is the emotional layer behind it. Wright explains that the song was produced with the help of his late friend, Martin, who—despite being in the hospital—helped him tweak lyrics and arrangements. “Martin loved it, and even when he was weak, he helped me “produce” it from his hospital bed, encouraging me to make some changes,” Wright shares.
Musically, ‘Roads of Connemara’ is a celebration of traditional Irish folk, but with Wright’s own twist. His voice is backed by his acoustic and hi-strung guitars, the soulful fiddle of Madison Shulkin, and Graham Stone’s steady bass—all recorded at Silo House Studio in New Concord, NY. Stone, who also mixed and mastered the track at his Stone Studio, adds a warmth to the production that perfectly suits the song’s intimate vibe.
“Written after my bike trip through Connemara, Ireland, with the Backroads folks and 17 other brave riders. I promised an Irish musician I’d write a song about the trip and send it to him so he could play it in the pubs in Ireland.”
And this isn’t the last we’ll hear from Wright—he’s already working on his 12th album, ‘Maximus Americanus,’ which is set to drop in the fall. “It’ll be a lot more rocking in the Americana vein,” he teases. For fans who love the folk sound in ‘Roads of Connemara,’ Wright promises that Martin’s spirit will continue to shape his new music, with two upcoming tracks co-written with Martin.
‘Roads of Connemara’ is a song that’ll take you to the misty hills and winding roads of Ireland, a tribute not just to a place, but to the people and connections that leave their mark on you.
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