DKOS Danny’s of 2023 – Binky Blue – Càrnan – Chloe Matharu – Tern- Will Boyd-Wallis

Binky Blue – Kilmaurs

Binky Blue are a brother and sister duo, Jared and Rianna Muir that have been bringing their exciting neo-trad music to audiences across Scotland since 2018. Capturing elements from Traditional, Dance, Electronic and Folk music results in captivating and high energy performances that engage and energise listeners to clap, dance and stomp along.
Traditional instruments such as fiddle and guitar are merged with not so traditional effects allowing Binky Blue to generate their unique and characteristic sound described as “enchanting” and having “a wholesome sound” by Ben Johnston from Biffy Clyro. Influenced by bands such as Elephant Sessions, Valtos and Niteworks, Binky Blue combine their traditional style with modern electronic sounds to enhance and excite their music.
The band draws its repertoire from both traditional tunes and original compositions, both of which are arranged in a modern neo-trad style which brings new life to old tunes and allows for the creative freedom to experiment with their own composi tions.Binky Blue aim to further develop their sound of energetic dance music with traditional tunes and to capture the elements from both to deliver an exciting and lively performance that can be enjoyed by all audiences.

Càrnan   – Kintail / Glasgow / Isle of Skye

CÀRNAN -Louden MacKay / (Breanna Wilson. /. Arthur Brook)
CÀRNAN is an upcoming and energetic Scottish indie folk trio with a funkier take on trad. The indisputable synergy of lively accordion (Louden MacKay), vigorous fiddle (Breanna Wilson) backed by thunderous guitar (Arthur Brook) gives the band a powerful and driven sound.
The fusion of contemporary original tunes and songs, along with a firm connection to the music and culture of their roots (Highlands, Glasgow, and Ireland to name a few) gives them a fresh and unique position within the music scene in Scotland.
The group released their first singles during 2022 – two original instrumental sets,“Calmac Kenny” and “Donnie the Highlander”, a cover of John Martyn’s “Over the Hill” and their own take on a traditional Gaelic song “Fionnlagh”. All received airtime across UK radio stations including BBC Radio Scotland’s “Travelling Folk” presented by Anna Massie and Bruce McGregor.
With the addition of Breanna to the band in January 2023, the group have lots of new and exciting material in the works. Louden hails from Kintail in the Highlands, Breanna from Glasgow, and Arthur from the Isle of Skye.

Chloe Matharu – Wemyss Bay

Chloe Matharu in an Indian Scottish singer songwriter and harpist on the West Coast of Scotland that performs Celtic music. Many of her songs draw on her time as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, inspired by the natural world experienced at sea. Her music offers “an intriguing insight into a new tradition of maritime folk music with thoughtful song writing embellished by her voice and superb harp playing” The Herald    Of mixed heritage, and crossing boundaries in her career at sea, Chloe is keen to explore breaking down cultural and gender barriers through the language of music. She performs in Scots, English and Welsh.
Since October 2023, she has enjoyed playing impressive venues such as Celtic Connections Glad Cafe Glasgow, Green Note in London, Fringe by the Sea, Edinburgh Fringe, Fishguard Folk Festival and Hartlepool Folk Festival to name a few and has just completed her first solo UK tour. She has performed support for Michael Marra, Bert Jansch, Dick Gaughan and Anais Mitchell. She is one of sixteen artists selected globally for the Fatea Showcase and one of six Scottish musicians to be selected for the WOMEX awarded Global Music Match 2022. Her award winning debut album, Small Voyages, was released in October 2022 and was selected for Celtic Music Rustic’s Album of the Year and was included in the top 20 of the World Music Charts Europe. “a beautiful dynamic movement that carries the listener along.” Folk Radio UK

Tern – Glasgow

Named after the migrating bird of the Nordic regions, Tern is a 5-piece band composed of Rose Logan (SC – Fiddle), Kristina Leesik (SE – Fiddle), Amy Laurenson (SC – Piano), Lea Søndergaard Larsen (DK – Bodhran), and Miguel Girão (PT – Guitar).
Tern crafts contemporary arrangements of traditional and original material, which draw on the music of Shetland, Mainland Scotland and Scandinavia.
Exploring the connections between the music of their homelands, Tern challenges listeners, inviting audiences on an exciting, cross-cultural journey, deeply rooted in a Nordic soundscape27/1/23.

Will Boyd-Wallis – Inverness

Ecologist, woodsman, singer-songwriter Will Boyd-Wallis presents his own songs, featuring his well-travelled ‘guitalele’ and acoustic guitar. His accompaniments are naturally rhythmic, making careful use of rich open tunings, which perfectly underpin his reflective, soulful vocals.
Equally at home playing on mountain crags, in caves, by the campfire and on stage, his songs are inspired by the ebb and flow of nature and reflect life in the Highlands of Scotland – yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Will lives in the Highlands, right in the heart of the native Caledonian pinewoods of Strathspey. His ‘day job’ with the National Trust for Scotland takes him back and forth to the West coast and the Western Isles, including St. Kilda, Iona and Mingulay, where he gains much of his musical inspiration.
There are hints of Ivan Drever and Nick Drake in his guitar work, but his own unique voice resonates with all the wisdom and experience of a man who has spent considerable time in the wilds.This is Will’s first performance at Celtic Connections. He will introduce some of his most recently self-penned songs.