The emergence of Kelly Oliver on the British folk scene has been both rapid and impressive. Kelly only started to gig in May 2013 but after some show stealing early performances she soon became a fixture on the scene.
Early gigs and support slots at such places as the renowned Hitchin Folk Club (BBC2 Folk Club of the Year 2005) gave her the confidence to apply and then be awarded the opening slot at Folkstock Festival. Incredibly, within two months of her first gig Kelly found herself on the bill at the legendary Cambridge Folk Festival.
Folkstock were so impressed with Kelly that they set up a boutique ‘mother and daughter’ label, and asked Kelly if she would like to replicate her music on record. Kelly signed her first deal with Folkstock Records and set about tracking her first collection of songs.
The ‘Far From Home’ EP was well received with Neil King from FATEA calling it ‘Very Accomplished’. With impressive production from 18 year old (Yes 18!) Lauren Deakin-Davies, the EP kept Kelly on her upward trajectory. Well received live sessions and guest spots followed on BBC Three Counties & BBC Radio London. The Gaby Roslin show on BBC Radio London saw Kelly duet on Harmonica with Will Pound (recently nominated as Musician of The Year at the 2014 BBC Folk awards) and Kelly is booked for a session at Bob Harris’s film company, Whispering Bob’s Broadcasting Company (WBBC) in May.
Will Pound has collaborated with Kelly on a new version of ‘He Walked On The Side Of The Sea’, a song from the ‘Far From Home’ EP.
This new offering is released on 17th March and will see Kelly continue her advance towards world folk domination!
Kelly’s brand of Folk is so accessible that you don’t need to be a ‘Strictly Folk’ music junky to enjoy her music. If you like a beautiful voice, lyrics from the heart and warm melodies then Kelly Oliver deserves your attention.
