ABOUT
With a life long history of involvement in and on the borders of folk, The Kimberleys have developed a sound which is both true to the tradition and refreshingly original. Great folk anthems such as Tam Lin and Elsie Marley retain their familiarity, but with fresh and vital arrangements they shine like new pennies recalling the excitement of folk revival greats such as Fairport Convention and Pentangle.
Formed in 2018 with the release of their eponymous album 'The Kimberleys', Isobel and Jim Kimberley have been in the world of English Folk for decades. Their 2015 collaboration with Cathy Lesurf, on Wolfscoat "Turn The Glass" (produced by Jim Kimberley) featured in The Telegraph Top 20 Folk Albums of 2015 and was supported by live appearances at The Great British Folk Festival and the Rural Touring network.
With their first album release The Kimberleys won the 'Peoples Choice Award' from Folking.com, and Sky TV's 'Keeping it Country Best Folk Video', they sold out Sydmouth's 'A Cellar Full of Folkadelia' in 2018 and have toured clubs and theatres across the UK and western Europe.
Isobel Kimberley possesses a startlingly authentic voice with a range bridging that of June Tabor and Sandy Denny. Coupled with her singular guitar skills and idiosyncratic approach to harp and ukulele, she defines The Kimberleys' sound in a unique fashion.
Vocalist, guitarist and arranger Jim Kimberley is the perfect complement and foil to Isobel's strong musical personality with a sparse and rhythmic approach to the guitar, inspired arrangements and uncannily familial vocals.
Scheduled to support AMAUK award winning artist Robert Vincent on his "In This Town You're Owned" album release tour in 2020, this exciting tour was postponed until circumstances allow free movement.
The lockdown inspired The Kimberleys to post daily "Songs From The Balcony" which proved hugely popular with their faithful fans and beyond. The Kimberleys' "Songs From The Balcony - One Year On" live-stream revisited the Balcony repertoire and was viewed from Australia to Alaska, Colorado to Carcassonne, Isle of White to Inveraray.
Isobel and Jim have been recognised as industry leaders with their live streamed events, top quality sound and video, astonishing musicianship and charismatic on camera presence, and these gigs have proved a unique experience for Kimberleys enthusiasts all over the world to meet and chat (in a virtual context).
Their greatly anticipated second album is in the pipeline, they are regular contributors to EFDSS's Classic Folk Show, regional BBC and other folk radio broadcasts.
Virtuoso performances, complex arrangements and an easy charisma give The Kimberleys their truly exciting and authentic folk voice.
