Biography
When tradition-rooted acoustic guitarist Ian Carr first encountered accordionist Karen Tweed at the Shetland Folk Festival in 1990, the encounter revealed two musicians of like mind. Over the following decade they recast material from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, both as a duo and within the Swedish-inflected quartet Swåp alongside Ola Bäckström and Carina Normansson, and within the Two Duos Quartet they shared with Andy Cutting and Chris Wood.
Before their paths crossed, each had already built a substantial career. Carr, who took up the harmonica at five and progressed through the mouth organ and accordion before fixing on guitar, had performed with several rock groups and, on accordion, with the ceilidh band the Harvesters in his native Penrith; after relocating to Newcastle-on-Tyne he joined the Old Rope String Band and, at the moment he met Tweed, was playing in Kathryn Trickell’s ensemble. Tweed’s introduction to music came through Irish dance classes in childhood; after brief experiments with the melodica she followed her older sister’s example and adopted the accordion, performing with a marching band while also pursuing classical studies under Lawry Eady. Her parents’ passion for Celtic music led her to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and lessons with button-accordionist John Whelan; once Whelan moved to the United States she began sitting in at pub sessions, teaching herself to translate flute and fiddle repertoire onto her instrument. At the time of the festival meeting she was working with Roger Wilson.
Although the pair jammed until dawn during that 1990 visit, their first professional engagement occurred in September 1991 when Lyn Tucker departed Trickell’s band and Carr recommended Tweed as replacement. While continuing with Trickell, both pursued outside work: Carr collaborated with Simon Thoumire, and Tweed co-founded the all-woman Celtic group the Poozies with Patsy Seddon, Mary MacMaster and Sally Barker, later appearing with Sally Barker & the Rhythm. The duo itself began once Trickell chose a year-long break from performing; their first recording, Shhh, appeared in 1995 and was followed two years later by Fyace.
Alongside her music, Tweed has exhibited her paintings across the United Kingdom, several of which have served as album covers. Carr has become a sought-after session musician, appearing on releases by Roy Bailey, John McCusker and Kate Rusby, and made his production debut with Eilidh Shaw’s album Heepirumbo.
Before their paths crossed, each had already built a substantial career. Carr, who took up the harmonica at five and progressed through the mouth organ and accordion before fixing on guitar, had performed with several rock groups and, on accordion, with the ceilidh band the Harvesters in his native Penrith; after relocating to Newcastle-on-Tyne he joined the Old Rope String Band and, at the moment he met Tweed, was playing in Kathryn Trickell’s ensemble. Tweed’s introduction to music came through Irish dance classes in childhood; after brief experiments with the melodica she followed her older sister’s example and adopted the accordion, performing with a marching band while also pursuing classical studies under Lawry Eady. Her parents’ passion for Celtic music led her to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and lessons with button-accordionist John Whelan; once Whelan moved to the United States she began sitting in at pub sessions, teaching herself to translate flute and fiddle repertoire onto her instrument. At the time of the festival meeting she was working with Roger Wilson.
Although the pair jammed until dawn during that 1990 visit, their first professional engagement occurred in September 1991 when Lyn Tucker departed Trickell’s band and Carr recommended Tweed as replacement. While continuing with Trickell, both pursued outside work: Carr collaborated with Simon Thoumire, and Tweed co-founded the all-woman Celtic group the Poozies with Patsy Seddon, Mary MacMaster and Sally Barker, later appearing with Sally Barker & the Rhythm. The duo itself began once Trickell chose a year-long break from performing; their first recording, Shhh, appeared in 1995 and was followed two years later by Fyace.
Alongside her music, Tweed has exhibited her paintings across the United Kingdom, several of which have served as album covers. Carr has become a sought-after session musician, appearing on releases by Roy Bailey, John McCusker and Kate Rusby, and made his production debut with Eilidh Shaw’s album Heepirumbo.