Woodlands

Justyna Krzyzanowska’s harp provides the dancing rhythmic opening to this album, which is then accompanied by Kristina Leesik’s fiddle, bringing a playful chatter and drive to the proceedings. The self released album opens with ‘Rolling Waves/Bros and Butter/Dookin’ for Beetroot’ and puts a marker down for the rest of the album. The pair’s sincere delivery of ‘The Old Man from Over the Sea’ recognises and shows an understanding of folk traditions and shifting narratives. The album is full of twists and turns, introducing people, places and stories, taking you from one coast to another and evoking Celtic memories.

The duo met during their studies at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. Together they provide a vibrancy of innovation and tradition, where some Scottish and Irish tunes get a Swedish makeover. The pair’s passion for immersing themselves in folk music traditions have taken them from Stockholm to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, providing them with a deeper understanding of both Swedish and Scottish music traditions. Their talent, experience and ingenuity shines throughout, delivering a range of captivating, and foot tapping arrangements with dreamlike wistful ambition offering everything from sweeping melodies to vibrant jigs and reels.