MANY of the performers at this year’s Wimborne Folk Festival came from across the county and even the country to perform in the Minster town’s showpiece event.

But one musician, armed with a collection of deliciously disturbing tales of murder and loss, made the trip from Holland – the latest in a lifetime of journeys from his birth place in China, to a religious upbringing in Texas, and creative fulfilment in the Netherlands.

Jonathan Brown, cousin to Wimborne’s town crier, Chris, held crowds in the Allendale Centre and The White Hart in raptures with his double-edged compositions of lyrical darkness and musical sunshine, performed under the nom de plume of Dusty Stray.

“It’s folk music, but its ‘folk noir’. In almost every song, someone dies,” said Jonathan, a sheepish smile spreading across his face.

“It’s been an amazing experience playing in front of so many native English speakers for the first time. In Holland, the audiences often miss some of the ironies in the lyrics,” he added.

Many of the songs performed by Jonathan at his Wimborne gigs came from his new album, “Tales of Misfortune and Woe”.

The album’s title is a clear signpost to its themes, and includes songs such as Sad Song, Cindy in the Well, and When I Scared You.

But the bleakness of the lyrics is counterbalanced with upbeat melodies and intricate performances on guitar, banjo, and mandolin.

“I’m hoping to come back next summer, and to bring some musicians with me. The CD has lots of vocal harmonies,” said Jonathan.

Dusty Stray’s one-man shows at Wimborne are part of a UK tour that will Jonathan next to Brighton and London.

From there its back to Holland, and to a day job providing English voiceovers to Dutch commercials – a trade that has previously seen him give voice to cartoon characters.

It’s all part of Jonathan’s continuing journey, and audiences in Wimborne seemed happy it had brought him to the town's annual festival.