howleyband.com
JOY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOWLEY ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM JOY, OUT AUGUST 28, 2026
The Galway-born quartet’s debut album finds hope, belonging, and joy through songs rooted in Irish tradition and shaped by life in the American west.
BOULDER, Colorado — August 5, 2026 — Howley, the virtuosic quartet featuring brothers David and Martin Howley alongside Kiana June Howley and Caitlin Leahy, will release its album, Joy, on August 28, 2026.
Produced by David Howley and recorded in Boulder, Colorado, Joy marks an exciting new chapter for the band. While David and Martin are widely known as founding members of We Banjo 3, Howley expands beyond the traditional boundaries of Irish and folk music, weaving together rich harmonies, thoughtful songwriting, acoustic virtuosity, and a modern sensibility shaped by the group's diverse musical backgrounds.
The eleven-song collection explores themes of home and adventure, friendship and solitude, and the simple but profound act of making something together. “We gathered together in the remote north woods of Wisconsin to see what still felt true,” said Martin,”and found something worth protecting and cultivating.” Throughout, the band's Irish roots remain firmly intact, but the sound reaches into new territory, drawing as much inspiration from contemporary folk music as from the tradition that first brought the musicians together.
The album's lead single, "Hideaway," introduced listeners to the warmth and intimacy that define the record, while other songs move effortlessly between reflective ballads, traditional Irish tunes and lively original songs.
At the center of the album is its title track, "Joy." The song came together on the night Martin and Kiana welcomed their son into the world. As they made their way to the hospital, David found himself unable to sleep and awake into the early hours, writing and recording what would become the heart of the record. Rather than a celebration of happiness alone, "Joy" reflects the strange mixture of gratitude, uncertainty, hope, and wonder that accompanies the beginning of a new chapter as well as the choice to cultivate it.
"Joy is really a record about connection," says David Howley. "It's about history, community, hope and the act of creating something together. We wanted to make something that felt hopeful and alive. These songs grew out of countless miles on the road, late-night conversations, and the experience of building something new together. More than anything, this record feels like a celebration."
The release arrives on the heels of a standout appearance at RockyGrass, where the band further established itself as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary folk music.
The album Joy will be available on all streaming platforms beginning August 28, 2026.
Track listing
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Joy
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Hideaway
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Otter Cove
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Shine On
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The Chug Chug
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Watertight
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The Burren
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Caledonia
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Wild One
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The Newry Highwayman
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Paddy Dreamin'
About Howley
Howley is a quartet led by brothers David and Martin Howley, joined by Kiana June Howley and Caitlin Leahy. Rooted in Irish tradition, the band's music combines intricate arrangements, powerful vocal harmonies, and finely crafted songs that reflect both their shared history and their evolving artistic direction. At its heart, Howley is rooted in the same spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and community that has always defined the brothers' music. Drawing together influences from Ireland, Appalachia, and contemporary acoustic music, the group creates songs that feel both timeless and distinctly their own.
