Director ANT MILES, who will be representing the duo, has been a fan for years, ever since they first played a support slot at DOWNEND FOLK & ROOTS, the venue that Ant runs in Bristol, as long ago as 2014. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength... so perhaps this linkup was always inevitable!
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.
The Black Feathers - The Ghosts Have Eaten Well (official video)
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.
We're currently taking bookings for what looks set to be a very busy Summer festival season on the back of their critically-acclaimed new album Angel Dust & Cyanide. The duo will spend the majority of the rest of the year in the States. We may be able to fit in a few other Summer gigs between May and September, so please don't hesitate to get in touch. There will be a full UK touring schedule in 2024.
"...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
