When Grammy-nominated hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT and Black Country singer-songwriter Dan Whitehouse take the stage, the boundaries between folk, spoken word, and improvisational magic dissolve—and what remains is something unshakeably profound.
This June, the transatlantic duo bring Ten Steps—their critically-acclaimed album and collaborative tour—to ten venues across the UK for a series of performances that promise more than just music. They promise presence.
Dubbed the “Jimi Hendrix of the hammered dulcimer” by NPR, New York-based Max ZT weaves a musical tapestry like no other, blending the West African traditions of the Cissokho griot family with the intricate spirituality of Indian classical music, tempered by a love of Irish folk. Every note is precise, yet alive—part of a conversation unfolding in real time.
His counterpart, Dan Whitehouse, brings a British poeticism that grounds the ephemeral. With melodies hailed as “subtle” and “delicate” by the Sunday Times, and lyrics shaped by life in Tokyo, fatherhood, golf swings, and geopolitics, Dan’s vocals are at once earthy and celestial.
Together, they conjure an atmosphere both meditative and electrifying. As Max puts it, “Musically speaking, that’s enlightenment.”
This isn’t music performed at you—it’s something you step into. Each show is shaped by the energy in the room, the mood of the moment, and the invisible current that flows between artist and audience. “After four years of playing together, we’re more fluid and in-sync than ever,” says Dan.
The results are shows that leave no two audiences with the same memory. It’s not just entertainment—it’s communion.
Their story began during the pandemic. Stranded on opposite sides of the globe, Dan in Japan and Max in Brooklyn, the pair met through Global Music Match—a kind of online musical matchmaking program. And like all the best creative relationships, theirs was instinctive. “It was interesting how effortless our songwriting collaboration was, from the start,” Dan recalls.
What emerged from their digital pen-palship is something far bigger than the sum of its parts—a collaboration that celebrates curiosity, craftsmanship, and the art of listening deeply.
Described as “exciting and exceptional” by KLOF Mag and “meditative… haunting” by Maverick, Max and Dan’s live shows feel less like concerts and more like shared discoveries. With selections from Ten Steps and gems from their solo catalogs, each evening becomes an exploration of sound, silence, and soul.
If you crave a musical experience that’s both technically dazzling and emotionally nourishing—book your ticket. Because once the last note fades, the moment is gone. And that’s the point.
