About

Deirdre McCarthy is a Colorado based singer, songwriter, fiddle player and violinist; multi-instrumentalist, session player, and live performer. Her rich, smooth alto vocals reveal truth as she tells real life stories through soul-stirring songs . Her songs speak to the universal human experience; the beauty in the struggle, bittersweet memories full of love and regret; and sometimes a bit of indignation. Her lyrics follow her early love of poetry, writing, and literature. Her songwriting is true and innate; lending to a variety of styles, moods, and instrumentation. Most notably, her violin playing is unique and dynamic, creating smooth landscapes, lending to incredible rythmic fun, and improvising heartfelt, touching, and exciting solos. Deirdre's songs tend towards old time country, americana, and soul.

Deirdre moved to Colorado from Maryland in 2009. Most well known for her time with the late Colorado Springs band Woodshed Red (2013-2020); she has also performed with many other groups and musicians in both Maryland and Colorado.

She released 3 singles in 2023, recorded at Violet Recording in Boulder, Colorado. She is currently performing as a soloist and, with original songwriter/singer Chauncy Crandall, as well as her latest band Springload Bootstrap.

Trained classically from the age of 4 at Hood College in Frederick, MD under the instruction of RoseAnn Markow Lester; she was involved in regional and state orchestras, symphonies, and chamber groups from a young age. Deirdre began playing wedding ceremonies and other classical gigs at age 12. She began playing traditional Irish music as soon as she could play and read  well enough to give it a shot. She has played in Irish sesiuns all over the east coast.

As she began to explore contemporary music, Deirdre was heavily drawn to blues, jazz, classic rock of the 60's and 70's, and alternative and hip hop 90's music. Her favorites  and influences include Howlin' Wolf, Billie Holiday, Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, The Grateful Dead, Led Zepplin, Tom Petty, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Fiona Apple, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Doc Watson, Primus, Tool, Dr Dre, Nelly, and so many more.

Deirdre's Grandfather Tommie Cleary was an Irish fiddler in the west of Ireland in the 1940's, playing in live bands, including PJ Murtagh's Band, and also performing live on the radio. Tommie immigrated to the United States in November of 1952, soon sending back for his wife and three small daughters; one of which would become Deirdre's mother. He worked as an engineer with Conrail and formed a band, The Green Shades, playing all over New Jersey and New York. Deirdre's late father, a retired Jersey City Fire Captain was also the son of an Irish immigrant, who worked as a longshoreman there in the 1930's and 1940's.

Deeply immersed in her Irish culture, she began Traditional Irish Step Dancing at age 6, and competed regionally and nationally for much of her youth. Deirdre gained a deep understanding of Irish music through both playing and dancing. She participated in Irish Sessiuns in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York during her high school years.

Her contemporary band experiences also began in Maryland, sitting in with various blues groups, Grateful Dead cover bands, and playing at open mics. Deirdre moved to Colorado sight unseen in 2009 with nothing but her Buick full of belongings and her best friend. She began looking for musicians to collaborate with right off the bat. In 2013, Woodshed Red was formed with 3 local musicians. She has since performed all over the state at venues and festivals including Frozen Dead Guy, The Fox Theatre, The Big Wonderful, The Sherbino, Dazzle Denver, The Stanley Hotel, Boogie at the Broadmoor, Lulu's Downstairs, Breckenridge Brewery Festival, Bong-a-thon and many more.

Stay tuned for more original music, collaborations, and live performances.