Dartington Hall, Nr Totnes, Devon
Thursday, 19th June 2025
‘There’s no rights, no wrong – just being’ – Some things catch you by surprise. An unexpected opportunity to see Max ZT & Dan Whitehouse presents itself on a gorgeous summer evening in the glory of the Great Hall at Dartington Hall, near Totnes in Devon. This is a gracious and historic setting which is graced by two beautiful performances.
BILLIE MAREE
Local support act Billie Maree grew up in Totnes and is clearly delighted to be playing this venue. Aiden Watson’s finely judged drums and percussion, alongside the very recently joined Jae Spencer-Keyse’s sparse synths add gentle rhythm and resonance to Billie’s lovely vocals and guitar in her captivating songs. Her voice is beguiling and her sensuous songs, some connected to field recordings the artist has made around Devon, feel connected to the Earth. Definitely a promising young artist worth following.
MAX ZT & DAN WHITEHOUSE
Dan Whitehouse starts alone with guitar with Ingrid’s Stare, showcasing Dan’s gentle voice which draws you into his world. Max ZT, just arrived from New York, then joins him on stage with his Hammered Dulcimer instrument, and together they begin to weave magical spells. Dan and Max have an unusual chemistry, mixing hammered dulcimer, guitar, piano, folk tinged smooth singing and almost whispered spoken poems. They use this unique palette to frame delicate observations and insights. The Perfect Circle is based upon a poem by local poet (and promoter of the event), Katie Whitehouse (no relation to Dan.) Her recorded voice echoes around the hall as Max and Dan provide a soft bed of melody and rhythm. Dan explains he spends half the year in Japan with his son and this is reflected in the contemplative Shizuka, which Max ZT evokes imaginatively on his instrument. Similarly, Hammerhead, based on the Hammerhead Crane in Yokohama (now preserved as a historical artefact) is imbued with a sense of place, but also shows an insight into the perspective and experience of a parent.
Max ZT has been described as the ‘Jimi Hendrix of the Hammered Dulcimer’ such is his virtuosity – (thankfully he avoids igniting his beautiful dulcimer on stage!) In his engaging manner he shares that when he carries it around in New York some people assume it’s a massage table (😊) The blurring speed balanced with such finesse and touch is breathtaking at times. Max ZT explains the history of the dulcimer, which originated in Persia, and is connected to ancient ragas. He shares that apparently it would take 1,500 years to learn all the ragas, and suggests that may help explain beliefs in reincarnation! He embarks on a raga improvisation on the dulcimer, and compares such improvisations to how we all constantly improvise spoken conversations – he adds: ‘There’s no rights, no wrong – just being’.
Dan rejoins Max ZT and together they improvise a song from scratch, which Max commences whilst Dan sits waiting for lyrical inspiration. After a while he stands up and drawing inspiration from the history of the Hall and the ghosts of so many dances held there he conjures up words to paint those scenes, interweaving with Max ZT’s gossamer thin winged dulcimer flights. It is a truly spontaneous and unique experience to witness such inspired creation and originality in front of your eyes and ears.
Dan originated in the Black Country, and this inspired his last solo album A Night of Glass. In a change of direction, he gives us a more conventional folk styled song with quite some humour, serving us all Free Beer from that album. Rather differently Bury One’s Head is rather more visceral in nature and subject, reflecting on the utter chaos of the American withdrawal from Kabul in which planes were taking off with desperate Afghans clinging on to the outside of the plane. Written from the perspective of the pilot it is rather chilling and tragic. The song subjects range across countries and subjects, all framed within skilled and entrancing soundscapes, providing stark beauty and drama.
The evening ends fittingly with tracks from their combined recent album Ten Steps, the title track followed by The Many Colours of Morning. These pieces hypnotise and beguile with delicate simplicity. These are not lengthy pieces – they do not need to be. Their fragility and crystalline beauty quickly penetrate the heart and soothe the soul.
If you are looking for something a bit different Dan and Max ZT are currently on a UK tour – Strongly recommended. Remember, ‘There’s no rights, no wrong – just being’ … and just being there is enough, I can assure you.
[Photos by Leo Trimming]
MUSICIANS
Dan Whitehouse – Vocals, Spoken Word, Guitar, Keyboard, Synth
Max ZT – Hammered Dulcimer
LINKS
Max ZT & Dan Whitehouse – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X
