DKOS Artists 1st Feb 2025:- The Kimberleys. – Auka. – Katie Billes. – Rebekah Woodier & Romy Wymer. – Fifidiny……

THE KIMBERLEYS

The Kimberleys, a husband-and-wife duo, have become recognized as authentic and original interpreters of the traditional folk repertoire. Their second album, “The Shape of A Year,” has further solidified their reputation, combining distinctive voices and harmonies that evoke the spirit of the 60’s and 70’s folk revival while offering fresh, original arrangements. Their sound appeals to both traditional folk enthusiasts and those less familiar with the genre.
Critically acclaimed for their ability to breathe new life into well-known songs, The Kimberleys deliver performances rich in musical excellence and charismatic presence. Their work is part of a quiet revolution, reshaping traditional songs to reflect modern life, making them relevant for today’s audiences.
Isobel and Jim Kimberley have an impressive background, having worked, toured, and recorded with notable artists such as The Albion Band, Andy Cutting, Cathy Lesurf, Julie Felix, Dave Swarbrick, and Gordon Giltrap. They have received accolades like the “People’s Choice” awards from Sky Arts, named as one of the “Best Folk Releases of 2024” by Folk London and were featured in the top 10 Folk Albums by The Daily Telegraph for their work under the Wolfscote name.
The Kimberleys promise performances that are both beautiful and memorable, continuing to carve their place among the folk greats.

AUKA

“Auka” comes from an Old Norse word meaning to grow or augment – a term that perfectly sums up the band’s organic and distinctive approach to music-making, where folk melodies gradually swell from intimate and sublime to turbulent and powerful. 
Combining wide-ranging influences including Celtic music and jazz, Auka consists of Kirsty Lomax on Irish flute/whistles, Matt Gilchrist on acoustic guitar and Joss Mann-Hazell (of Mishra) on double bass. The three instruments weave between melodic and accompanying roles to create a diverse and compelling sound.
Autumn 2023 saw the release of Auka’s highly anticipated second album, Wild Waters. This recording was fuelled by their passion for the rewilding and Right to Roam movements, in particular the need for access to blue spaces for wild swimming. The music is influenced by the ephemeral nature of rivers and streams, and pays tribute to the importance of protecting Britain’s wild waters

KATIE BILLES

24 year old Katie Billes is a Scottish Singer/Songwriter originally from Edinburgh, currently based in Leeds. Katie started off her music career when studying music at Edinburgh college back in 2018 before moving to Leeds. Since completing her songwriting degree at Leeds Conservatoire in 2022, Katie has been writing and gigging her music and has fully immersed herself in the Leeds music scene, however is looking forward to bringing her music to an audience back home. Her singer/songwriter style also incorporates an intriguing mix of folk and pop based around her love for storytelling. Katie released a brand new single last year, and has been lauded by the likes of BBC Radio Scotland; “her beautiful voice, her writing, her playing… the quality and whole production value is just beautiful…to be able to communicate in a way that is accessible to other people… chimed so many bells with me. Listeners are offered a sense of reflection with Katie’s storytelling, honest lyricism and evocative melody lines.”

REBEKAH WOODIER & ROMY WYMER

Creativity and innovation lie at the heart of Slovak-American cellist and composer Rebekah Woodier’s work. She is currently most excited about finding ambient and ethereal worlds of sound and exploring how folk and classical music combine and influence each other. In all her music-making, she strives to create beauty with authenticity to lift people out of the everyday and help them look higher.
Romy Wymer is a Glasgow-based clàrsach player and composer originally from the Netherlands. Her compositions, which draw from traditional folk music, jazz and minimalism, are autobiographical in nature and seek to capture the joy of mundanity in life.
The duo started playing together in 2024, exploring how the cello and clàrsach complement each other and finding a new blend of their creative voices. 

FIFIDINY

Fifidiny is a dynamic singer-songwriter making waves in the Scottish music scene with her unique blend of electro-pop and Afrobeat alternative sounds. Hailing from the Highlands of Scotland with Madagascan roots, Fifidiny has not only captivated audiences with her upbeat catchy melodies but has also garnered recognition within the industry. With two Proudly Black and Scottish awards under her belt, Fifidiny’s music resonates with authenticity and cultural richness. 
Fifidiny’s track “Nobody Knows” was selected as BBC Track of the Week, showcasing Fifidiny’s ability to craft compelling and emotive compositions that strike a chord with listeners. Additionally, Fifidiny is pitched as “One to Watch” by renowned music tastemaker Jim Gellatly for the year 2024, further solidifying her status as an emerging talent to watch. 
With a distinct musical style that seamlessly merges diverse influences, Fifidiny continues to push boundaries and carve out her own path in the Scottish music industry. Her electrifying performances and soul-stirring lyrics promise to leave an indelible mark on audiences far and wide.