A Kelpie is a spirit in Scottish mythology who has the reputation of looking innocent, being malicious and luring people to their doom. The Duo KELPIE, Kerstin Blodig and Ian Melrose, also lure (do they look innocent?) - but into concerts, hoping that after this acoustic experience you’ll never be the same again! Touring regularly with the group NORLAND WIND (featuring Thomas Loefke and Padraig & Noel Duggan from CLANNAD), they discovered their mutual attraction towards musical experimentation, letting unusual harmonic textures and rhythms flirt with traditional Celtic and Scandinavian music. When Kerstin’s clear and vibrant voice intertwines with Ian’s languid low whistle, when Ian’s fingerpicking dexterity dances around Kerstin’s mischievous bouzouki lines, there arises an exciting blend of old and new - intricate vocal and instrumental arrangements with room for improvisation and spontaneous ideas.

KERSTIN BLODIG ( vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin) studied musicology and Scandinavian languages and cultures in Berlin and in Bergen (Norway). She is involved in a wide variety of different projects, ranging from studio vocal work, German folk-pop and theatre music productions to the group TOUCHWOOD with Cristina Crawley. Their innovative debut-album "PASSION PLAY"(1995) got rave reviews in Ireland and Germany, and they are represented on the New York label Putomayo’s compilation "WOMEN OF THE WORLD - CELTIC 2" alongside Capercaillie and Natalie McMaster (among others).

"True highlights were delivered by Kerstin Blodig, who really won over the audience with her pure, crystal-clear voice.She also proved to be a very versatile instrumentalist - playing guitar, keyboards, bouzouki and percussion. This lady really knows what she’s doing."     -- Free Press 4/97

FEATURED ARTISTS: Kerstin Blodig - vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, bodhrán & Ian Vance Melrose - guitar, low whistles, vocals

TRACKS: Kraka; Mine Viser;  Kelpie;  Halling Fra Elvrum;  Villemann Og Magnhild; Bedlam Boys/Bedlam Girls;  Sven Svane; Guten Og Mann/Fillefant Ril;  The Battle of Waterloo;  Paddy Goes to Tunisia;  Nelaugvatn Reels;  Polska Efter Lars Orre;  Sumarnatta

Ian Melrose  is also a member of the group Norland Wind whose album, "Atlantic Driftwood" was released July 2002 on Alula Records.   Ian also appears with Kerstin Blodig on her release "Valivann"  released in August of 2002 on Alula Records.