Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt

This video doesn't fully do justice to Carrie Elkin's voice, which in the acoustics of the Old Courthouse was stunning. Although both Danny and Carrie were amplified she could pretty well blow the room away unaided with her soaring vocals. The pair where a great complement to each other, alternating songs throughout the evening and although Elkin's vocals took centre stage, Danny Schmidt's stronger playing gave us a great night out.

There's a couple of really great nights coming up in the New Year with King Creosote and Martin Stephenson. Can't wait. www.inthedock.net

Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin

Here's a little taster of Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin who'll be playing In the Dock at the Old Courthouse in Thirsk on Friday night. If you fancy coming along, click on the poster in the sidebar and get yourself some tickets!

Texas comes to the Thirsk Courthouse

Kate writes:
Best friends, Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt, have two things in common. They both hail from Austin, Texas and they’re both singer/songwriter powerhouses, with reputations as big as the state they honed their distinct musical talents.

On Friday 11 December, they’re switching the southern states for North Yorkshire, as they drop into The Old Court House, Thirsk, promising a real treat for all folk and acoustic fans.

Both solo performers in their own right, they’ll be playing a selection of each others songs, which span the entire spectrum of the folk music genre. Danny is much a wordsmith as he is a composer. There are sparse backdrops of harmony (vocals, strings, and accordion) as well as a little touch of this and a tiny pinch of that, all tastefully placed and painted for the benefit of the songs. This is the kind of music you’ll want to envelop yourself in at 2am, after a couple drinks, a little loose and strangely attuned, and with the lyrics on your lap so you can follow along, line by line and turn by turn.

As for Carrie, she’s currently hitting new heights with her latest album, The Jeopardy of Circumstance, which has been described by Bob Harris as making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He likened her to a wonderful mix of Patti Griffin, Nancy Griffith and Iris DeMent. Her voice is fantastically expressive, bringing her poetic lyrics to life. She can captivate an audience with just a guitar and a voice, like very few can.

Successful, clever and critically acclaimed artists in their own right, but together they’re a folk music tour de force. So wrap up and venture out to see these two, you won’t be disappointed.

Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt will be performing at The Old Courthouse, Thirsk on Friday 11 December, tickets £10, doors 7pm. To buy tickets visit www.inthedock.net, call 01845 595 980.