Valtos

About Valtos

Valtos is an electronic Celtic fusion duo from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, consisting of Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald, who formed in 2021. They are known for their unique "electro-trad" sound, which blends traditional Scottish and Gaelic music with electronic influences such as house, drum and bass, and trance, drawing inspiration from artists like Martyn Bennett, Peatbog Faeries, Odesza, Madeon, and Bicep. Their music has been described as "like nothing you've heard before". Valtos released their self-titled debut album in June 2022, featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Donnie Munro of Runrig, Lana Pheutan, Eilidh Cormack, Gary Innes of Mànran, Euan McLaughlin, and Allan MacDonald of Niteworks. The album quickly garnered over 100,000 streams in its initial weeks and was praised for its successful mix of house beats with traditional sounds. Throughout 2023 and 2024, they undertook an ambitious project titled "Valtos and Friends," releasing 12 new singles in collaboration with a diverse range of artists including Elephant Sessions, Julie Fowlis, Gnoss, Project Smok, Siiga, and Lewis McLaughlin. This project culminated in a second album, also titled 'Valtos & Friends,' which was released in early 2025. The duo's talent and innovation have earned them significant recognition, including being finalists for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year, earning a spot on The List's 2024 Hot 100, receiving the Up and Coming Artist of the Year award in 2022, and a nomination for Best Live Act 2023 at The Scots Trad Awards. Their dedication and boundary-pushing artistry continue to impress critics and fans alike. Most recently, Valtos headlined the popular Tartan Zone at Edinburgh's Hogmanay to ring in 2026, where they performed a new rendition of "Auld Lang Syne". They also released a new single, "A' Chuthag" (The Cuckoo), featuring legendary Gaelic folksinger Julie Fowlis, in April 2024, and have a busy touring schedule ahead in 2025, including performances at The Reeling festival in Glasgow and shows in Scotland and France. Valtos is also scheduled to play at Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on April 25, 2026. They continue to gain traction, with a recent Drum and Bass version of traditional music going viral and attracting millions of views online.