Press:

“Guitarist Paul Tasker and singer Iona Macdonald claim they formed Doghouse Roses “after one too many nights drinking red wine and listening to Pentangle, Fairport Convention and Gillian Welch records”. The truth of this is obvious on their second album, which adds further textures to the string arrangements scattered across their debut. Macdonald has been dogged by comparisons to Sandy Denny (but there are worse names to be called), and here her wonderfully expressive voice is the perfect counterpart to Tasker’s intricate finger-picking. Even within the expanded band line-up, this is a two-person show, and the impression is that a few years of near-constant touring have fashioned Tasker and Macdonald into a completely balanced unit. The folk-rock sound of the early 1970s is still the main reference point, but the blues of opener Atonement, the wonderful Americana vocal harmonies of Blue Moon On The Mountain, and the Bert Jansch colourings on The Highwayman, offer other musical ro”
Alan Morrison - The Sunday Herald

“Iona [Macdonald] is steeped in Scottish folk music and has found the perfect musical foil in Paul Tasker who proves to be an intuitive guitar player. On 'The Rain' he shifts imperceptibly from rhythm to lead over a perfectly nuanced brushed shuffle beat. In fact what makes 'This Broken Key' so interesting is that it breaks new ground on its own terms. Much like Donavan back in the 60's who took his style from Scottish Folk music before finding his own voice, Doghouse Roses establish a bridge between folk and alt.country to discover their own niche and equilibrium. This is particularly so on the magnificent 'Blue Moon on the Mountain' on which Iona remains true to her self, but adds some rich harmony lines to suggest other influences. Tasker meanwhile provides the mesmerising rhythm guitar and an acute sense of dynamics. that perfectly mirrors the vocals. 'This Broken Key' ...is a work imbued with real vitality, musical excellence, plenty of originality and real feel and warmth.”
Pete Feenstra - Get Ready to Rock

“Tasker is on of THE guitarists of his generation...while Macdonalds crystal tones do exactly the same with the words as Tasker does with the notes...[this broken Key] is a fine second outing that confirms their place at the top table”
Jeremy Serle - Maverick Magazine

“NuJazz, NuSoul, NuFolk. The British duo Doghouse Roses gladly describe themselves as the latter, however, their tunes run deeper than that and in Iona Macdonald's singing resides a loveliness which cannot be taught and sometimes reminds one of Jacqui McShee. Can't be bad”
Wolfgang doebeling - Rolling Stone, Germany

“If there were a society of the promotion for Doghouse Roses, I would propose for the membership immediately.Explicit recommendation”
Gerd Wenzel - Melodie & rhythmus

“Tasker's soundtrack mines the best of Scottish and American musical influences, at one moment homespun and folksy, at another bluesy… Perhaps the standout track is the tender, piano-led "Stalling" which, like a great Joni Mitchell tune, leaves the listener simultaneously sated and devastated”
Trevor raggatt - Rock & Reel

“This debut makes good on the promise that they are something a little bit special. Macdonald sings with an effortless clarity and the aching expression of Natalie Merchant at her most mournful. It’s atmospheric stuff that strikes an engaging balance between tradition and contemporary storytelling,”
Rachel Devine - The List

“It’s not surprising, given that Macdonald and Tasker are a partnership in more than just the musical sense, that they are strongest at their most intimate. All I Knew, Pilgrim’s Tale and Happiness all argue that their strength lies in the simple approach. An impressive debut.”
Peter Isles - The Sunday Herald

“Vocalist Iona Macdonald has an ethereal voice that gives songs like ‘Gone There’ an almost Clannad-like feel, while guitarists Paul Tasker and Malcolm Lindsay play with a level of expertise that immediately puts them head and shoulders above many similar bands.”
Brett Callwood - Acoustic Magazine

“Etheric, pure, nearly angel-like so you are forced to grab deep in the drawer of adjective to describe the voice of Iona Macdonald. With this voice she presents the immaculate melodies with contemporary lyrics which are flattered by the virtuosity of Paul Taskers' guitar playing.”
Peter Sester - Der Kurier

“This is an album brimming with honesty. Doghouse Roses are no fly-by-night wannabes. These are musicians who've paid their dues, and taken time to grow comfortable with their sound -- and it pays dividends here. Prepare to fall under their spell -- prepare to fall in love!”
Mike Wilson - Folking.com

“Greener The Grass calls to mind early Joni were she to have been raised among rolling Scottish hillsides while the renaissance colours of Tasker’s guitar work and Macdonald’s phrasing on her self-penned Pilgrim’s Tale echo the more plaintive moments of Liege & Lief or first Fotheringay album”
Mike Davis - Net Rhythms

“Great things are happening on the UK folk scene at the moment, and this debut pays testament to the years spent crafting their skills, and delivers as a fully-formed work of art. ..[How’ve you been (all this time)?] should be heralded alongside the best of the new releases.”
Nic Oliver - musicomh.com

“The chemistry is obvious between Scots country-blues duo Paul Tasker and Iona Macdonald. Tasker’s guitar plucking is perfect backdrop to Macdonald’s crystalline vocals. The mood is sombre and reflective but Border Hills and the jaunty Happiness lift the mood. A great debut album. **** ”
Avril Cadden - Scottish Sunday Mail

“Glasgow duo Doghouse Roses do the melancholy country ballad with guile and grace. 'Greener the Grass' is un-ashemedly Sandy Denny-tastic which is a fantastic thing (4/5)”
The List

“Call it alt-folk...this Scottish duo are on the way up”
Daily Record

“Doghouse Roses present a seamless mix of folk, blues, country and Americana with the folk factor ultimately pushing through. Macdonald’s voice is pretty and pure, and folk trailblazers Pentangle comes to the fore on the track Happiness with its beguiling vocal melody and Bert Jansch-style guitar”
Fiona Shepherd - The Scotsman