Daria Kulesh

Daria Kulesh has been described by Mike Harding as “one of the finest voices and one of the most intriguing and interesting songwriters on the present folk scene”. Her debut release Eternal Child was described as “phenomenal”, her second album Long Lost Home has enjoyed rave reviews and multiple awards, including LCM Album of the Year, her third offering Earthly Delights was named "one of the year's finest albums" by Folk Radio UK, and her latest studio release MotherLand is “near perfect" and "astonishing", according to Liverpool Sound and Vision. Daria has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, sharing stories and songs that are deeply personal but feel universal and timeless. Every performance is an "emotional, compelling and uplifting experience", leaving the audiences "completely spellbound". Born in Russia but based in the UK for the last 15 years, she fearlessly explores her heritage and turbulent family history in Ingushetia (North Caucasus) with songs that "aren't just sung, but lived" (FATEA).

 With a unique heritage in the North Caucasus and a moving story to tell, Daria accompanies herself on guitar (with a fondness for DADGAD), bouzouki, shruti box and bodhran, but the focus is on the singing and the storytelling.

"Refreshingly different, powerful songwriting"

FolkWorld

"Intensely personal and immensely resonant... incredibly moving"

TwickFolk

"Haunting and enigmatic"

The Sunday Times

Feedback from recent solo performances: 

"We found the experience unforgettable: insights into a hitherto unknown people and their culture, overcome by the cruelty of mega state power, told through the lives of the past and present. Truly folk music at its best.” - "Remarkable woman/voice/stories" - "One of our best nights yet"

The Lightship, Blyth - organisers and audience

"Such a wonderful evening! We so enjoyed the stories of your family history, it was a real education for us and your evocative songs brought another dimension to them." - "Delightfully different" - "Amazing" - "Fascinating" - "Wonderful stories and lovely music"

Forest Folk Club - organisers and audience

"An excellent evening and an epic journey told in stories and song. I don't think we have had an artist cover such a dramatic and traumatic history with such beauty, emotion and humour. Thank you"

Gerard Edwards, Bradninch Folk Club

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