THE KIMBERLEYS' STORY
The Kimberleys are Isobel and Jim Kimberley, a London-based duo whose music brings the rich traditions of British folk into vibrant, contemporary focus. Isobel, originally from Yorkshire, and Jim, an Essex native, first crossed paths through a shared love of songwriting and storytelling. Isobel’s early immersion in folk music - from the clubs of Yorkshire to sharing bills with icons like Dick Gaughan at university - laid the foundation for her artistic voice, further shaped by years spent in the USA. Jim, meanwhile, carved a path as a session drummer in London, with early ties to the folk scene that included a stint with The Albion Band.
What began as a collaboration around Isobel’s original songs evolved into something deeper. While touring and recording that material, the pair often returned to traditional folk songs for their own enjoyment. It wasn’t long before that private passion became the centre of their creative world. A chance encounter at a friend’s birthday party with Cathy Lesurf (Fairport Convention, Fiddlers Dram) sparked a new direction — leading to their first folk album, Turn The Glass, featuring revered guests like Gordon Giltrap, Andy Cutting, and Dave Swarbrick. The album earned critical acclaim, including a place in the Daily Telegraph’s Top Folk Albums of 2015.
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With Gary Southwell, Andy Cutting, and Cathy LeSurf
Now firmly established as The Kimberleys - him by birth, her by marriage - the duo followed up with their self-titled debut, recorded partly at home in Blackheath and finished at Leicester’s Tiny Studios. Their reimagining of traditional ballads has become their signature: bold, imaginative, and deeply rooted in respect for the source. Their animated video for Tam Lin won the Sky Arts People’s Choice Award in 2018, highlighting their creative flair beyond the music.
In 2024, they released their second album, The Shape of a Year - an atmospheric, cinematic collection of reworked folk standards that Folk London named one of the year’s best. The Kimberleys continue to carve a distinctive path through the folk world, balancing invention with tradition.
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Their live performances are as memorable as their recordings. Whether playing a packed folk club, a concert hall, or a festival stage, their warmth, wit, and musicianship leave a lasting impression. Recent appearances have included Celtic Connections and a forthcoming performance at the iconic Sidmouth Folk Festival.
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With Robert Vincent
Beyond the stage, they run the Roving Folk Club in Greenwich and Bromley and curated a one-day folk festival at London’s Mycenae House. International gigs have taken them from the Isle of Skye to France, Belgium, and the US, proving that The Kimberleys’ music travels well — and resonates deeply.
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