From Mayo to Merseyside: The Rise of Dealer’s Choice

W: Dan Hartman.

NEW SINGLE '' SOME KIND OF WAY '' OUT 4TH FEBRUARY 2026

The story of Dealer’s Choice is one of heritage, geography, and the unique creative shorthand that only family can share. Comprised of cousins Joe McHugh and Barry Mullaney, the duo has recently emerged from the vibrant Liverpool music scene, after years of making music together "on and off" since childhood, 2025 marked the moment they decided to stop experimenting in the margins and push themselves to create a definitive project. The result is a sound that sits comfortably between the dancefloor and the bedroom, blending electronic precision with indie sensibility.

"Because we’re cousins, we can tell the other when we think something sounds terrible without taking it personally."

The duo brings two distinct, high-level skill sets to the table. Joe is a well-known fixture in the Liverpool nightlife circuit, having spent nearly a decade DJing under the name Jack Trades at iconic local haunts like Motel and Teddy’s. Barry, conversely, built his reputation as a producer and artist in Ireland under the moniker Deadbeat Drew, where he earned praise from Hot Press as one of the country’s most promising talents. This combination of "booth-tested" rhythmic intuition and seasoned production craft has allowed Dealer’s Choice to navigate the transition from making remixes for DJ sets to finding their own original voice.

Defining that voice is a task the band approaches with a sense of humor. While friends have tagged them as "Indie Dance New York-core" in the vein of Dance Yourself Clean, Joe and Barry see their work as something more personal. Much of the song writing is anchored in Barry's upbringing, but it is then filtered through their shared experience. This perspective—balancing a fierce pride in their background with the fresh eyes of living abroad—gives their music an introspective, nostalgic quality that sets them apart from typical club-centric acts.

Their creative process is built on a foundation of radical honesty, a byproduct of their lifelong relationship. Working out of their home studios, the pair often starts a session by simply catching up and sharing what they’ve been listening to—ranging from the hip-hop-influenced drumming of Matt Helders to the experimental 90s era of U2 (specifically Achtung Baby and Pop). Because they are cousins, they bypass the usual politeness of new collaborators. "We can tell the other when we think something sounds terrible without taking it personally," Joe notes, a trait they consider their greatest strength.

"I think Bob Ross put it best when he said we’re just a ‘happy accident.’"

The duo’s debut single, "Some Kind of Way," serves as the perfect introduction to this partnership. The track was built from a lyric Barry had started years ago in Ireland but couldn't quite finish. Joe provided the "fresh pair of eyes" needed to bring the song to life, turning it into a blend of dreamy trip-hop and lush instrumentals. It acts as a mission statement for the band: accessible yet deeply rooted in their signature style of "happy accidents."

'' Some Kind of Way’ is the most accessible song we’ve made thus far—a taster of what’s to come."

As 2026 unfolds, Dealer’s Choice is picking up significant momentum. With a debut five-track EP scheduled for release this summer and plans for live shows later in the year, the duo is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about acts in Merseyside. For Joe and Barry, the goal remains simple: to keep evolving their sound while staying true to the bond that started in a shed in County Mayo.

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