(Dublin – Aug 07, 2025) ‘Have at It!’, out today, is the foot-stomping new single & title track from Irish-American duo DUG’s upcoming debut album, releasing on Sept 19, 2025. This vibrant single is accompanied by a stunning B-Side cover of the Ian Felice song “In Memoriam”, in addition to the band’s first official music video, also out today. Watch here.
Inspired by a humorous message shared via his family’s WhatsApp Group during the COVID pandemic, Conor O’Reilly put pen to paper and conceived what was to become the debut album’s title track.
“‘Have At It’” came from a text message my dad sent to our family WhatsApp group during COVID. At the time, there was that short phase when everyone thought COVID could spread through surfaces. My mum was really worried, so she decided to get a will written. She took a photo of it and shared it in the group chat. In response, my dad sent a picture of his will — a napkin with the words ‘Have at it!’ scribbled across the front.”
Comprised of Californian Jonny Pickett and Conor O’Reilly (aka famed folk artist & Lorkin O’Reilly 26M+ Spotify streams), DUG have firmly established themselves as one of the most unique, and relatable forces in the folk music revival, thanks in part to singles like ‘The Big Sundown’, ‘Jubilee’ (shortlisted for two Grammy nominations) and most recent single “Livelong Day.”
They’re an unapologetically modern band. Their music stems from roots in musical traditions spanning both sides of the pond. In one breath, echoing the great American folk troubadours, and in another, comfortably channelling the elder statesmen of Irish folk. You’ll hear plenty of Irish influence combined with one of the most unique takes on contemporary folk music.
This is no accident. DUG have a shared musical heritage with members born in America and Scotland before arriving in Ireland. O’Reilly himself spent almost a decade making and releasing music in upstate New York, having picked up sticks from his native Edinburgh, (Irish mother and Scottish father) before moving to Ireland in 2022 to start a new musical chapter.
There’s a natural magnetism to DUG’s folk brew. The duo formed in 2023–but you’d be forgiven for believing that they’ve been writing together for a lifetime. And you can hear that lived musical experience in their creativity. Resonator guitar and banjo, the building blocks of DUG’s arrangements, lick and spin, with intricate finger-picking patterns whirling to a compelling whole. Their music breathes, vamping in sync.
“Have At It!” lands in the midst of multiple tour dates including a slew of Irish & UK Summer Festivals such as Beyond the Pale in Wicklow, All Together Now in Waterford, Another Love Story in Westmeath and Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co.Laois. DUG will spend much of 2025 on the road including a debut tour in October in Australia. Full list of live tour dates available here.
“Have At It!” (single) is out now.
Connect with DUG:
Spotify: DUG
Instagram: @dugworld
TikTok: @dug_world
Youtube: @DUG_world
Web: dugworld.com
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Press Contact: Emily Ginsberg
ginsberg@bighassle.com