Introducing some old friends: Dusty Lights - Press Release for Aberdeen Folk Club 60th Oct 2022
Country legend Hank Wangford used to say strangers are just friends you haven’t met. Dusty Lights might well be a new name for many Aberdeen Folk Club regulars, but this foursome from Edinburgh have a deep association with the club stretching back nearly 40 years.
This all-acoustic band of fiddles, guitars, mandolin and harmonica feature the talents of Sandie Wyles, Kenny Kemp, Dave Francis and John Carnie. All four were regulars at the club in the 1980s and 1990s, when it met in the Crescent Hotel, then the Three Poceros, and indeed singer and guitarist Dave Francis was club President for a number of years. Now he is the resident host at Edinburgh Folk Club, and well-known as half of The Cast, the duo with Mairi Campbell, one of Scotland’s most renowned voices and performers.
Dave, Sandie and Kenny cut their teeth playing in various Aberdeen outfits, including the first electric-ceilidh band Reel Aliens, who backed The Pogues and Runrig, in their heyday, Now Sandie is a top ranked solo singer-songwriter, whose Americana inflected songs are admired, with her compositions topping the Reverbnation online charts. Dave and Kenny were founders of Desperate Danz Band, and when Kenny went off to London, where he played in several Kentish dance bands, John Carnie joined and the group made their acclaimed Scottish folk album, Send Three and Fourpence. He was folk club Secretary for many years. Carnie is known for his unique interpretations of Irish and Scottish music and is the author of the Scottish Guitar Book.
In recent years, the guys got back together, realised they still had the energy and passion for their blend of Scottish, Irish, Shetland and Americana music, played with a driving force and a jazzy twist or two. All of the foursome like to take a turn at singing, so there is variety in their alluring performance.
Dusty Lights - or as some Aberdeen wags have dubbed them, Stoorie Lichts - are looking forward to returning to Aberdeen. The folk club holds special musical memories for them all – and their performance will rekindle old friendship and turn those strangers into new friends.
Country legend Hank Wangford used to say strangers are just friends you haven’t met. Dusty Lights might well be a new name for many Aberdeen Folk Club regulars, but this foursome from Edinburgh have a deep association with the club stretching back nearly 40 years.
This all-acoustic band of fiddles, guitars, mandolin and harmonica feature the talents of Sandie Wyles, Kenny Kemp, Dave Francis and John Carnie. All four were regulars at the club in the 1980s and 1990s, when it met in the Crescent Hotel, then the Three Poceros, and indeed singer and guitarist Dave Francis was club President for a number of years. Now he is the resident host at Edinburgh Folk Club, and well-known as half of The Cast, the duo with Mairi Campbell, one of Scotland’s most renowned voices and performers.
Dave, Sandie and Kenny cut their teeth playing in various Aberdeen outfits, including the first electric-ceilidh band Reel Aliens, who backed The Pogues and Runrig, in their heyday, Now Sandie is a top ranked solo singer-songwriter, whose Americana inflected songs are admired, with her compositions topping the Reverbnation online charts. Dave and Kenny were founders of Desperate Danz Band, and when Kenny went off to London, where he played in several Kentish dance bands, John Carnie joined and the group made their acclaimed Scottish folk album, Send Three and Fourpence. He was folk club Secretary for many years. Carnie is known for his unique interpretations of Irish and Scottish music and is the author of the Scottish Guitar Book.
In recent years, the guys got back together, realised they still had the energy and passion for their blend of Scottish, Irish, Shetland and Americana music, played with a driving force and a jazzy twist or two. All of the foursome like to take a turn at singing, so there is variety in their alluring performance.
Dusty Lights - or as some Aberdeen wags have dubbed them, Stoorie Lichts - are looking forward to returning to Aberdeen. The folk club holds special musical memories for them all – and their performance will rekindle old friendship and turn those strangers into new friends.