about east handed

East Handed are fronted by singer-guitarist Vesna Panic, who draws on the ancient Yusoglavian folk song repertoire for her inspiration. Vesna's distinctive voice is complemented by the lower tones of Lindsay Aitkenhead's acrobatic viola. The viola puts the jazz in Balkan music, pulling the strings that move your feet! Meanwhile, a funky bass 'n' drums rhythm section keeps those complex Balkan beats rocking.

East Handed started at a benefit gig for Amnesty International at the Blind Institute in Sheffield in 2003. Vesna sang Yovano Yovenke, and then later in the evening Lindsay & Richard played it. So the song happened twice at that gig, then we spent weeks searching for each other so we could perform it again, together.

Photos from our highly enjoyable Macedonian dance workshop at IVFDF, 2 March 2008, Sheffield, England.