It’s Indie Friday! This week’s guest: Cara Dillon

by Bristol Market

This week’s Small Business star is folk singer Cara Dillon, who lives in the vibrant market town of Frome. Have a read!

If you are interested in sharing your love for indie, please contact Geraldine.

Please introduce yourself and tell us what you’re up to at the moment

My name is Cara Dillon. I am a folk singer from the North of Ireland and when I’m not travelling performing concerts you will find me in Frome where I have been living for the past 20 years. I’m married to Sam Lakeman who also my musical partner and we have three children; twin boys who are now fifteen and a daughter aged eleven.

I’m currently working on three different musical projects in our studio in between gigging throughout the UK.

Please tell us why you love shopping with independent businesses

I am passionate about shopping with independent businesses as I always find something unique and interesting that cannot usually be found in the run of the mill high street shops. In this ever changing economic climate I think it’s more important now than ever to support our local businesses and all the wonderful things they have to offer.

I know I am very fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful market towns in the country and Frome has been gaining more and more attention in the past few years for its array of wonderful independent shops and the ever popular monthly independent market.

Do you shop at markets or indie shops? If so, please let us know which ones and why you love them?

As a performer I’m always on the look out for unique dresses and outfits, whether I’m performing in an Arts Centre, Concert Hall or Festival and I’ve always seemed to strike gold here in Frome.

Some of my favourite independent shops are Lark Vintage, Poot, Honey on the Hill, Deadly Is The Female and The Dandy Lion. I love that I can find something truly unique on my doorstep and it makes me smile to think about all the celebrities and influencers that have travelled here to shop and enjoy the town.

As a mother of three I’m acutely aware that I should be setting an example to my kids and I think they know that this town has pretty much all we need on our doorstep, whether it’s buying farm fresh eggs and veg from the Garden Cafe to fresh bread at the bakers on Cheap Street and the best cuts of meat from our prize winning butchers.

I grew up in a small town called Dungiven in Co. Derry and there wasn’t really any choice other than supporting our local shops and businesses. There was fresh fish from Donegal sold every Friday from a man with his van parked on the main street, fowl man Dan sold us his fresh chickens, and the bread and veg were delivered to our home by local bakers and farmers once a week. I’m so delighted that my children are now too growing up with that sense of pride and respect in shopping local, here in beautiful Frome.

About Cara Dillon

Hailing from Co. Derry in Northern Ireland, Cara Dillon posses a rare and unique voice that has been lauded since winning the All Ireland singing trophy aged only 14.

Together with her husband and musical partner Sam Lakeman, she has successfully steered an eclectic musical path, defying the typical pigeonholes that hinder most artists in her genre.

Celebrated for entwining traditional and contemporary elements, she has earned both commercial success and astonishing critical acclaim, having been signed to Rough Trade Records and Warners.

You can catch her live at Bristol St Georges as part of her hugely successful annual Christmas tour “Upon A Winter’s Night” on Friday 9th December, and at the Memorial Theatre, Frome on Saturday 10th December.

For tickets and full UK tour date schedule see www.caradillon.co.uk

For more indie love, head over here.

Author: Mandy Stephens

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