Ali & the DTs

Ali & The Dts are a 7-piece group from Dublin City, Ireland. Originally formed in the summer of 2006, they started by playing old blues standards in Beat clubs around Dublin, taking their influences either from Chess Records artists such as Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters & Sonny Boy Williamson, or Motown & Stax performers James Brown & Otis Redding.

Over the past two years the band has gigged relentlessly, developing their sound into what is now the original debut album "Get the first layer of Civilisation off", a title that frontman Ali de Mora read out of a self help book titled "How to be a successful drinker", while holidaying in San Francisco.

The final line up was decided in the summer of 2008 when Italian pianist Salvo Urbano joined the group to make the Dts what they are today.

The band have supported acts such as The Black Diamond Heavies, Bobby Dixon (son of Chess Records Willie Dixon), and oddly enough "We Are Scientists".

The Critics:

'... they got on stage and just blew the crowd away with their particular take on blues-music.' - Niall Toner, RTE Radio 1's Roots Freeway

'... the project succeeds due to the sheer quality of the singing and playing. While primarily a blues record, First Layer Of Civilisation seems to draw influences from far and wide. De Mora, who’s voice is part Jim Morrison, part Nick Cave and part Blind Willie Johnson, is the star – but he’s backed by a super-tight band. Ali be praised: we have a new contender in our midst.' - Rowan Stokes, Hotpress

'the hardest drinking crowd we've ever had!' - Anonymous from the Button Factory