Poor Creature is a gothic folk trio from County Leitrim, Ireland, weaving ancient ballads and traditional songs into dark, dreamlike soundscapes. Formed during the lockdown in 2020 by singer Ruth Clinton (Landless) and multi-instrumentalist Cormac MacDiarmada (Lankum), the project began as an intimate exploration of traditional music in their shared home, using a room full of instruments and a loop pedal. The arrival of John Dermody (The Jimmy Cake, Lankum live band) on percussion 18 months later transformed the duo into a fully realised trio. Their sound merges the mournful intensity of Irish folk with experimental textures—layered drones, stark organ loops, subtle electronics, and expressive, conversational drumming. With close vocal harmonies and a gothic sense of drama, they draw listeners into a world where the old songs are alive, uncanny, and emotionally raw. In 2025, Poor Creature released their debut album All Smiles Tonight, celebrated for its eerie beauty and sonic inventiveness. Their live shows are intimate, haunting, and strangely uplifting—a testament to the emotional depth and ritual power of traditional music reimagine