Dipper Malkin are a captivating duo, who are rapidly earning a reputation for elevating traditional music to new heights of sturdy beauty and sophistication. Their highly-anticipated debut release, Tricks of the Trade, was included in The Sunday Times Top 10 Folk/Roots albums of 2017.
Dipper Malkin is the “potent combination” (Folk Radio UK) of two musicians that have spent their careers to date involved in groundbreaking projects. John Dipper (viola d’amore) was one third of The English Acoustic Collective alongside Chris Wood and Robert Harbron and currently works with string quartet Methera, The Emily Askew Band and Alma, while Dave Malkin (guitar, voice) was a founding member of trio Tandem, stylishly combining traditionally informed compositions with live electronics.
The duo provides a new lease of life for the viola d’amore, an unusual instrument from the baroque period with seven bowed and seven sympathetic strings.
“I began investigating new ways to play more complex polyphonic accompaniments. Discussions with players such as Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, who uses instruments with a greater number of strings, led me to experiment with the viola d’amore. I’ve developed a new tuning system for the instrument, which has allowed my playing style and new compositions to flourish”, said Dipper.
Dipper Malkin realise that they are the lucky benefactors of previous generations’ invention, celebrating their inheritance through every note, whilst avoiding the trap of complacency by offering their own inventions. “The greatest compliment we could think to pay to our ancestors, those responsible for this rich and fascinatingly idiosyncratic tradition, is to elevate the repertoire they’ve provided for us”, said Malkin.
He continued, “It’s important to us both that we look outwards for inspiration. We aim to present work on a par with contemporary classical music in terms of its intrinsic artistic value, produced to the standard of a big-budget release, as thrilling and accurately executed as improvised jazz, but most importantly rooted in our tradition.”
The duo have performed at Folk East, Towersey Festival, Sidmouth Folk Week, Oxford Folk Week, The South
Bank Centre and look forward to this summer, with several more festivals and appearances at concert venues and folk clubs.
APRIL 2018 Tour Dates:
5th – The Anvil, Basingstoke
13th – Coquetdale Music Trust, Morpeth
14th – The Blacken Trust, Cheshire
15th – Halsway Manor, Somerset
16th – The Green Note, London
- 17th – The Portland Arms, Cambridge
21st – Pound Arts, Corsham
22nd – Rose Hill Arts, Brighton
23rd – Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham
27th – Turl Street Kitchen, Oxford
- 28th – House Concert, Norwich
