Folk
We have had some of the most iconic folk artists play for us
30th anniversary year
We are delighted to announce dates for our acoustic and folk music evenings for 2024.
Keep an eye on our “What’s On” page and our Social Media to see the great acts we have coming up.
The Kalamazoo Klub has been bringing great quality folk and acoustic music to North London for the last 25 years. Run by Guy Simpson and Paul Alcantara, it has brought a plethora of World-class names to our audiences over those years.
Fronted by House Band, The Blinkin’ Buzzards, each month’s meeting brings a top-name artist from the worlds of folk and acoustic music. It is now one of the best-known folk music clubs in London.
Next gig
The Black Feathers
June 13
With support from The Blinkin’ Buzzards
£20
If you were of the belief that The Black Feathers are named because of their love of dark humour and the smooth blending of harmony, you’d be wrong.
If you were told that the name is more concerned with recognition of their gentle souls, a predilection for dark clothing and the sonic tumult of the plethora of (mainly US) progressive-metal bands doing mega-business around the world in the 1990s and beyond, you might doubt those who said so, but they would be accurate.
You’d be wrong as to the name, BUT you would be utterly correct that the sonic architecture of their lyrics and musical composition takes its imperious scope from a love of blended vocal harmony and idiosyncratic guitar shapes.
Americana to some, folk to others, The Black Feathers have those qualities in expansive quantity.
Sian Chandler’s soaring, dramatic, melodious but powerful voice is a perfect counterpoint to Ray Hughes’ piquant vocals and his sparkling and occasionally spicy guitar motifs. This is a duo who love what they play and play what they love with panache, humour, delight and rather a lot of commentary on the downside of being a human.
Seeing and hearing them will leave you with a smile on your face and a glowing heart of delight. You might not think that is possible when you’ve just spent some time hearing the themes of the songs they lay before an audience but it is testament to their sunny dispositions, infectious laughter and amused self-deprecation that you can only come away from a gig feeling a whole heap better about yourself and life.
“…stunning harmonies that were so good it reminded me of seeing Gillian Welch and David Rawlings” No Depression.
“It is so rare an opening act rival the main performance but that is exactly what the
seamless harmony singing Black Feathers achieved.” Jumpin’ Hot Club.
“The pure emotion and subtle timing of their song delivery is as evident as the enjoyment radiating from their onstage chemistry.” 3 Chords and the Truth.
We are delighted to announce that we auctioned a signed poster of March’s artist, Martin Carthy and have donated the proceeds to UNICEF Children’s Fund. Many thanks to Martin!
We also auctioned a signed poster from Michael Messer, Chaz Jankel and Matt Round and the proceeds are going to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Where to find us
We meet usually on the second Friday of the month at The Great Northern Railway Tavern in Hornsey and sometimes at the Union Chapel in Islington. Make sure you check the What’s On page to see which venue we are using and for more details on how to buy tickets.
PLEASE NOTE that this gig is in an upstairs room with no disabled access. We do not guarantee a seat for every ticket holder, so if you need a seat we advise that you arrive early.
Now you can buy The Blinkin’ Buzzards’ CD, packed with great tunes like Jigsaw Puzzle Blues, Blue Prelude, Humming Blues and Big Feet Rag, at any of our gigs..
The CD contains 11 tracks plus a bonus track, Pizza Rider, by Merlin Wildman. The CD costs £12 plus £2 p&p. Order yours today! Just email [email protected] and we’ll sort out the rest!
The Blinkin’ Buzzards
Listen to House Band, The Blinkin’ Buzzards playing Autumn Leaves, live.
Autumn Leaves Live
The Kalamazoo Klub’s house band play each month at the Klub and are:
Guy Simpson – Dobro
Paul Alcantara – Guitar, ukulele, banjo
John Paxton – guitar
Andrew Kemp – bass
Jamie Alcantara – ukulele
Listen to Mr. Trump Don’t Like It by the Blinkin’ Buzzards
Listen to Jigsaw Puzzle Blues
By Eddie Lang, born Salvatore Massaro in Philadelphia in 1902.