DKOS Artists 25th Jan 2025 :- Duncan MacDonald – Dàna – Massimiliano Alloisio – Wee Sara and The Texans – Outi Karhu …..

DUNCAN MACDONALD –

Duncan MacDonald is a traditional Scottish folksinger & multi instrumentalist with a deep appreciation for the musical heritage of his homeland. Duncan is a Scottish traveller and was Raised in a family that cherished folk traditions, Duncan absorbed a wealth of songs and stories from family members and relatives most notably his father, which reflect the rich tapestry of Scotland’s cultural history.
With his debut album set to be released in early 2025, Duncan skillfully blends traditional Scottish ballads with his own original compositions, creating a timeless sound. The album, produced by the acclaimed Dave MacFarlane at Counter Culture Studios in Perth, showcases Duncan’s remarkable musical talent. In addition to his heartfelt vocals and acoustic guitar, he plays bagpipes, banjo, whistles and bazouki crafting a rich and authentic auditory experience.
A popular performer, Duncan captivates audiences at notable Scottish venues such as Twa Tams in Perth and Highlander in Inverness. His live shows are a celebration of storytelling, technical skill, and a deep commitment to preserving and honouring Scottish folk music.

DANA

Band Members:  Anna Robertson – Fiddle. Laura Penman – Clarsach. Eleanor Tout- Whistle. Alex Wotherspoon – Piano
Dàna are a new and exciting, all-female band based in Glasgow. The band’s name, meaning “bold” or “audacious” in Gaelic, perfectly encapsulates their vibrant sound and approach to performance. Dàna have spent the past few years honing their craft at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and immersing themselves in Glasgow’s vibrant traditional music scene. Comprised of fiddle, clarsach, whistle, and piano, each member of Dàna draws inspiration from their diverse regional backgrounds and dialects. Since emerging, they have quickly established a strong reputation, performing at numerous festivals and events across Scotland this year. Recent performances include, Carradale Music Festival, Under Canvas, MOKFest and Piping live.

MASSIMILIANO ALLOISO

Massimiliano Alloisio began his guitar studies with M Franco Brambati, Following himin several concerts and recording session with participation of the Solisti Del Teatro La Scala Di Milano.  He collaborated in some concerts and studied flamenco guitar with Mojuan Lorenzo.  He also participated in masterclasses with Miguel Riveria, Jose Postigo and Oscar Herrero.  He followed advanced courses of contemporary guitar with Mo Maurizio Colonna and graduated in Musicology, with didactic and instrumental proactive address, at the University of Pavia.  He carried out the activities of interpreter, teacher and composer through various collaborations such as ‘Suonovivo’ duo with percussionist Loris Stefanuto and Roberto Durkovic’s Balkan songwriting project with which her received the ‘Suoni OltreConfini’ award, assigned by Amnesty International.  He took part in numerous festivals including ‘Festival Del Ticinao’, ‘Aosta Classica’, ‘Piemont In Musica’ , ‘Tastar De Carda’.  He composed some jingles for Radio Rai 1, Rai 3, and Sky.  He is author of the Didactic text ’10 Duetti Progressivi’! edited by ‘Sinfonica’. Some of his compositions are broadcasted live by Rai Television during the ‘World Youth Day’ in St Peter’s Square in Rome and ‘The Bible Day and Night’ – In the presence of the Pope Giovanni Polo 11 and Benedetto XVl.  In 2018 his composition ‘Rumba Loca’ was rewarded by the Foundation ‘Estro Musicale’.  He worked with Mopeppe Vessicchio and the soloist of the Alessandria Orchestra for Lavagnino Festival. In Colloboration with A.I.N.S Onlus he went on tourin Guatemala working in a musical, Social and Educational Project.  He performed in Germany with the violinist Giorgio Perusi, in the City of Hannover and Hildesheim invited by the General Consulate of Italy and as soloist for the Europe Festivao of Hannover and the Foundation Menotti of Soleto Festival.

WEE SARAH & THE TEXANS

Wee Sara & the Texans, a dynamic quintet deliver a high energy show down inspired by the Wild West! Led by the charismatic and talented Wee Sara, this band seamlessly blend rich musical heritage with modern sensibilities, inviting audiences to experience the heart and soul of classic blues, swing, country and roots with a modern Scottish twist!
Wee Sara and the Texans draw inspiration from the legends of the genre, including the likes of Ester Philips, Sierra Ferrel, Pokey Fararge and Bob Wills while also incorporating elements of folk, rock, and country. This diverse musical background allows them to create a distinctive sound that resonates with both long-time Roots enthusiasts and new listeners alike.
Since their inception April 2022 Wee Sara and & Texans have achieved significant milestones. They self released their debut album ‘Running From the Noose’ in May 2024, earning spots on Scottish music festivals and have collaborated with long standing legendary Edinburgh musicians to host what can only be described as full tilt barn burners! Yee ha!

OUTI KARHU

Outi Karhu (previously Smith) is a Finnish singer and pianist, born with restless feet and a curios heart that led her to Scotland. This nomadic spirit allows her to remain adventurous in her approach to life as well as music. Constantly examining new viewpoints, she happily hops between styles and genres, enchanting her audiences with jazz flavoured folk musings where stories of feminism, sisterhood and freedom intermingle with fables and fairytales. She invites the listener on a sonic journey, from pine scented woods of her Nordic motherland to the rugged Scottish wild. She is increasingly passionate about improvisation, a practice which has taught her to embrace being in the moment and fully accept her creative vulnerability. Outi is currently writing and performing with new material for her debut album.