DMac Burns

DMac Burns combines elements of reggae, dub, r&b, indie rock and more into heartfelt lyrically rich songs. The musical moniker of New York City-bred singer-songwriter Danny McDonald began as a solo project in an apartment in Washington Heights in 2020, but has recently become a global affair. When McDonald moved to West Cork, Ireland in 2022 he met keyboardist / dub-specialist, Matias Saldivia Comas who hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The two bonded over the fact that they were city boys living in rural Ireland with a shared love for roots reggae and dub. Over the next year and a half they spent most of their time writing, recording, and refining a live set that features many styles played over a backbone of dub reggae. They can be found gigging as a two piece (looping and live dubbing bass, keys, guitar, vocals and melodica over beat samples from world class drummers) or with a full band. They are currently finishing a reggae album inspired by concepts of ancestral healing in the wake of colonialism. It features collaborations with artists from Ireland, Argentina, Jamaica, the United States and more. 

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Spending his early childhood in Queens, and then growing up in The Bronx, Danny was shaped by the wide array of culture that New York City has to offer. He cut his teeth playing in highschool punk bands at classic venues such as CBGB’s and The Knitting factory before refining his style in reggae outfit, Rocky and The Pressers. Prior to moving to Ireland, he released his debut DMac Burns EP in 2020 featuring collaborations from industry veterans Marc Campbell of MisterWives, grammy-nominated instrumentalist Jesse Blum (Nas, Hit-Boy, twenty one pilots), along with staple band members, drummer / vocalist, Seth Nicholson, and bassist, Rocky Russo. While recording his last EP with producer Julian Giaimo in 2022, McDonald learned he would become a father, prompting a relocation to his wife's family home in West Cork.

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The EP, The Longest Night came out on the 21st June 2023 and was announced with a performance at the legendary West Cork venue, Connolly’s of Leap. It received praise from reggae publications, Rootfire and Top Shelf Music.

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“When you enter the captivating world of DMac Burns‘ soundscape, you embark on a mesmerizing journey that defies the confines of traditional genres. With every note and melody, he creates a sonic experience that transcends boundaries and ventures into an uncharted sound repository. His latest EP, The Longest Night, effortlessly weaves in touches of indie, R&B, and reggae. Shaped by the hustle of the Bronx and smoothed out by the lush countryside of West Cork, Ireland, DMac Burns creates a delectable and savory flavor of music that tantalizes the senses, leaving every listener craving more.”

- Rootfire

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“Through poignant songwriting and introspective themes, DMac invites listeners to confront the darkness within themselves and the world around them. He musically encourages listeners to delve into the challenges and struggles of our modern existence, aiming to provoke thought and discussion about the direction of our collective journey.” - Top Shelf Music