Bristol folk riser Dryadic returns with the anticipated new single, ‘Smiling in the Dark’ (November 8th). Led by multi-talented singer-songwriter Zora McDonald, accompanied by Aly Rainey on fiddle and George Pearson on double bass, make a sound which is rooted in traditional folk, bringing a palpable sense of energy and a catchy commercial flair.
Produced by longtime collaborator Jake Skinner (Sam Ryder, Nigel Kennedy) and recorded at Brighton Road Recording Studios, the new single ‘Smiling In The Dark’ marks Dryadic’s first release since 2021 and delivers a radiant example of the infectious blend of rootsy folk with a melodic pop flair that characterises Dryadic’s sound.
‘Smiling in the Dark’ is a joyful, effervescent love song that’s unapologetically queer and brimming with energy. Built around a sound palette of organic folk instrumentation,the track opens with a bright full bodied folk sound of strummed acoustic guitar, a buoyant drum beat, warming double bass under a bright and uplifting fiddle riff. Leading into Dryadic’s effortlessly charismatic lead vocal, the verse pulls the track through heartfelt and joyful lyricism which talk through the journey of finding love.
The track takes an unexpected shift to an offbeat rhythm into the infectious chorus, as the earworm hooky vocals and the tight instrumentation shines. Ebbing and flowing through the second verse, ‘Smiling in the Dark’ reaches an expressive fiddle solo before closing with a climactic final chorus.
Talking about the track, Dryadic said:
“Smiling in the dark is the only love song I have released (it’s by no means the first I’ve written!). It’s about that moment when you’ve totally fallen for someone and you’re in bed going to sleep, but you’re so head-over-heels that you’re wide-awake grinning. And it feels like it must be so obvious that you wonder if your lover can literally hear you! I clearly remember the one such night, which inspired this song. I really love that it’s obviously a queer love song, sung by a woman to another woman, but this context is completely incidental.
I returned to Brighton Road Recording Studios to work with Jake Skinner, because I just love working with him. Jake is super relaxed, a really intuitive and insightful musician and engineer. After Jake engineered Dryadic’s previous EP No Time Like the Present with such magic, there was no other option really.
Although it’s romantic, it’s not mushy. Its grooving feel-good vibe will make you move and the big old hooks, I hope it will keep people humming and smiling long after the four minutes are up!”
As well as the creative force behind Dryadic, Zora McDonald is also renowned for her work as both the founder of Queer Voices Gloucestershire—the region’s first LGBTQ+ choir—and co-founder of Hot Flush Events – an LGBTQIA-focused platform for queer women and minority gender performers, uses her music as a powerful form of activism. Through her songs, she not only explores personal experiences but also addresses broader social issues, championing visibility and expression within the LGBTQ+ community.
Having built a reputation as a live artist, Dryadic has performed to packed out audiences across the UK including the likes of Glastonbury Avalon, Brighton Pride, and the Hackney Empire as well as opening for the likes of Grace Petrie, O’Hooley and Tidow and Heather Peace.
Upcoming tour dates:
NOV 1st – Dryadic Duo at Dr Foster, Gloucester
NOV 16th – Smiling in the Dark Tour, Cardif
NOV 18th – Smiling in the Dark Tour, Stroud
NOV 21st – Smiling in the Dark Tour, London
NOV 22nd- Smiling in the Dark Tour, Brighton
NOV 24th – Smiling in the Dark Tour, Bath
Further tour dates:
FEB 27th – Dryadic Birthday Show at the Folklore Rooms with Paul Diello & Allan Bonner, Brighton
FEB 28th – Dryadic at Stroud Records, Stroud
MAR 6th – Dryadic at The Tupenny, Swindon
MAR 16th – Dryadic at The Ropemakers, Bridport Bridport
