Rambunctious indie-folk band Keston Cobblers Club make their RMH debut on Sunday 19th November, supporting the release of their brand new EP. Expect plenty of classics, harmonies, instrument switching, tuba and an abundance of energetic sole healing.
“Where did this band come from? One of the best new discoveries I made” – Steve Lamacq
Hailing from Bromley, Kent, U.K. and with a name inspired by an 18th century violinist cobbler who had a penchant for dancing in public, Keston Cobbler’s Club are a contemporary folk-pop collective known for their invigorating use of organic instruments and feel-good summer melodies.
The group was formed in 2009 by siblings and multi-instrumentalists Matthew and Julia Lowe, with close friend and multi-instrumentalist Tom Sweet. Spending the following years finding their sound on a number of demos and working hard on the London gig circuit, the ensemble was eventually completed by the addition of tuba player Bethan Ecclestone and drummer Harry Stasinopoulos.
The public first got an extensive taste of their sound with the 2010 digital EP Welcome to the Club, released via independent label Beatnik Geek Records. 2012 saw the release of their debut full-length for the label, One, for Words (once again, a digital-only release). The album was recorded in the Lowe family home and exemplified the quintet’s passion for traditional folk music, laced with contemporary pop melodies and harmonies. The record received rave reviews and the group was praised for their versatility and creative approach to songwriting.
The band then signed with TriColour Records and released their sophomore full-length effort, Wildfire, in 2015. The album was commended for its nostalgic sound palette, all the while incorporating sleek production techniques with the slight use of electronics alongside organic instrumentation; becoming a bold example of the resurgence of folk and development of neo-folk music in the 2010s. Keston Cobbler’s Club promoted Wildfire with a nationwide tour and returned in 2017 with their third record, Almost Home. The release boasted a more simplistic approach to their songwriting and was once again praised for its eclectic and innovative use of varied instruments.
“Every song is an absolute killer” – Dermot O’Leary
“Rambunctious folk and joyous elemental pop” – The Guardian
“Beautiful” – Lauren Laverne