Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer
Vicki and Jonny are versatile multiinstrumentalists that are equally at home in any genre. Both are classically trained musicians and strong readers. Their period work stretches from Medieval historic interpretation all the way to modern folk. They are also passionate about historic dance genres from the 1650s Playford through to the 1800s Regency made more famous by the likes of Jane Austen and Bridgerton. They are both no stranger to Air-Edel, Air and Abbey Road studios. Although the instruments they play are often type-cast into medieval and viking they also find their way into more modern projects.
Vicki Swan specialises in bowed strings, from the nyckelharpa - Swedish keyed-fiddle, the sieneharpa (keyed-fiddle from1408) moraharpa (keyed-fiddle from the 1500s). She also plays the tagelharpa - a very early form of fiddle from the 1000s. She has worked on projects such as The Witcher Blood Origin (both recording and onset adviser), The Northman, The Beast Within, Stockholm Bloodbath, The Winter King (also seen as a supporting actress) and for the Games genre: Genshin Impact, RuneScape, The Home County and The Angler. Vicki has also worked with several sampling companies and there is a strong chance that any composer wanting a nyckelharpa in a score will already be using a sample pack that is Vicki. Vicki is the leading nyckelharpa player based in the UK and one of the few able to bridge the gap from the classical discipline to folk music. She is able to arrange and compose in different styles and genres. As an aside it’s Vicki that is responsible for World Nyckelharpa Day.
Full Instrument List:
Keyed-Fiddles: Modern Three-Row Chromatic nyckelharpa, Silverbasharpa, Kontrabasharpa, Moraharpa, Sienaharpa, Cello- pitched Nyckelharpa
Other Strings: Tagelharpa,Bowed Psaltery, Cittra, Double Bass
Bagpipes: English Border bagpipes (G) , Scottish Smallpipes (A, D or C), Swedish Säckpipa (E or D)
Wind: Bone Flute, Willow Flute, Irish/simple system flute, Whistles, Flageolet
Jonny Dyer specialises in ancient brass, strummed strings and keyboards. An excellent improviser he pulls in influences from baroque figured bass to jazz. He has worked on films such as The Northman, Stockholm Bloodbath, as well as recording and appearing as a supporting actor in The Winter King, Boudicca, Holy City. In the Game genre Jonny has worked on projects such as The Home Country and RuneScape. Jonny is also a composer and arranger having written and recorded full length scores for projects such as finale at the The York Viking Festival (2025 and 2024) and the plays performed at Whitby Illuminated 2021-2025) as well as other shows for English Heritage.
Full Instrument List:
Labrosones: Carnyx, Conch, Roman Cornu, Swedisg Cowhorn (Kohorn), Swedish Goat Horn (Bockhorn), Dutch Midwinter Horn, Näverlur, Roman Buisine, Trumpet
Strings: Citole, Medieval Lap Harp, Lyre, Bouzouki, Guitar
Keys: Harpsichord, Harmonium, Piano, Accordion
