Meet Dandelion Charm - performing acoustic gig at Rye

Sarah Watson, Events Officer & Gesine Garz Head of Rye Harbour Discovery Centre interview Clare and John of folk/prog rock duo Dandelion Charm

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the Discovery Centre in August. Give us a taste of what to expect

Expect to feel something. Connecting emotionally with people through our songs is what makes performing so special. We love sharing those moments with audiences, and one of the greatest joys of Dandelion Charm has been the lasting friendships we’ve made along the way. 

John’s unique twelve-string guitar playing can be wonderfully delicate one moment and completely fill a room the next, and if you love vocal harmonies, there are plenty of those too. [Clare]

To what, in nature, do you feel most connected?

I love being amongst the trees, so Friston Forest and Abbots Wood are favourite places to escape and recharge [John].

I’m a passionate organic gardener and love creating spaces for wildlife. This year we’ve been lucky enough to have a bee swarm, a nesting colony of bumblebees, dozens of dragonflies, butterflies and moths, and even a pair of tiny Firecrests bathing in our pond—it feels like sharing the garden with old friends [Clare].

Can you share one of your earliest musical memories?

Watching my older brothers’ band rehearsing and seeing a drum kit for the first time. I remember thinking, “That’s what I want to do,” and I’ve never really looked back [John].

What’s the most challenging aspect of working as a couple?

We’re grandparents and both have elderly parents, so family naturally comes first, and finding enough time can be the biggest challenge. The wonderful thing is that we genuinely love writing, recording and performing together—it feels like creating music with your best friend.

What places and landscapes inspire you in Sussex?

We live overlooking Newhaven Harbour, Seaford Bay and the South Downs, and it’s a constant source of inspiration. The changing weather, light and seasons transform the landscape every day, and that sense of movement and atmosphere often finds its way into our songs.

Dandelion Charm are playing an acoustic gig at the Discovery Centre on Saturday 15 August 2026, from 6pm. Book tickets for Dandelion Charm

Listen to Dandelion Charm’s music on YouTube

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