ABOUT THE CLUB
From humble beginnings in 2004 as an open mic at a Northamptonshire village pub, Kontra gradually evolved through several changes of venue and format, all the while building a reputation for presenting entertaining and eclectic evenings of quality acoustic music. Eventually finding its natural home in 2008 at the excellent Kennedy’s Bar in the small town of Finedon, it is now acknowledged as Northamptonshire's premier acoustic roots club, attracting some of the best up and coming acoustic talent from across the country, as well as more established performers from home and abroad.
With an open music policy that welcomes all genres of acoustic roots music as long as it is of outstanding quality, Kontra is a rare success story in these harsh economic times. Run as a non-profit making enterprise, admission to the club is free, and the acts, many of them professional musicians, play for expenses only. That they do so is testament to the excellent reputation the club has built up over the years, with its friendly atmosphere, large, loyal, and enthusiastic audiences, excellent sound (courtesy of Geoff Bland), and the imaginative programming of organiser, Kev Buxton. Priding itself on the fact that it sets no musical boundaries other than quality, a typical Kontra session crosses many genres within the space of a single evening: folk, blues, Americana, jazz, world, contemporary, traditional, and experimental music all find a welcome reception on the Kontra stage.
Held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at Kennedy’s Bar in Finedon, Northants, a typical Kontra evening will showcase three very varied, top quality acoustic roots acts, who play for 45 minutes each approx. The club starts at 8pm and runs through till 11pm or later, and though admission is free, we do welcome voluntary donations. Kennedy’s is an ideal venue for acoustic music, characterful and friendly (it also serves real ale) and it can be found at The Tower Sports Ground, Irthlingborough Road, NN9 5EJ.
THE KILLING FIELDS OF ONTARIO
Sheffield’s most promising folk-rockers: uncompromising, raucous and not for the faint-hearted! The KFO’s music is full of Americana influences, shot through with a mix of aggressive rock and reflective folk, the band cleverly blending acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins, accordions, strings and pianos with electric instrumentation. It’s a heady and delicious brew, with real roof lifters leavened with the occasional gentler reflective song, but if you like thrashy, party-time folk rock, these guys deliver it in spades! (www.killingfieldsofontario.com)
upcoming shows
9 MARCH AL TAIT’S BLUES NIGHT
SONNY BLACK’S BLUES BAND
JACK BLACKMAN
JACKSBORO HIGHWAY
23 MARCH
PAUL HANDYSIDE
MARIA BYRNE & THE BROKEN STRING
KING’S GAMBIT
13 APRIL
THE WILLOWS
JINDER
KEVIN O’REGAN
27 APRIL KEV’S 60th BIRTHDAY SPECIAL
PAUL LIDDELL
PETE CHRISTIE
DAN WHITEHOUSE
STONY BROKE
11 MAY
JAMIE WILLIAMS & ROOTS COLLECTIVE
SAM SALLON
TONY HAVEN
25 MAY
ROB HALLIGAN
MODEL VILLAGE
TBC
The club sends out a monthly e-mail NEWSLETTER that gives details not only of forthcoming acts, but other Kontra promotions and local acoustic events in the Northants area. Anyone wishing to join the mailing list should e-mail kev@kcbworld.co.uk. The newsletter can also be read on the newsletter page.
Information about the club can also be found at our myspace site:
www.myspace.com/kontrarootsclub
We are also on Facebook at:
MARK WYNN
Truly original young fingerpicking acoustic bluesman from Yorkshire, Mark is currently earning his dues playing all over the UK and making a lot of friends along the way - and with good reason, for this is charismatic and heartfelt country blues, with the authenticity of the street and the honesty of an articulate observer of the human condition. Like the great old bluesmen channelled through the sensibilities of Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams, this is music for the soul from a young man going a long way. (www.markwynnmusic.co.uk)
10 JANUARY ACTS
(from top to bottom)
Kenneth J Nash & The Earls • Mellow Peaches • Cole Stacey with Joseph O’Keefe
OUR NEXT MEETING IS
ON 24 FEBRUARY
AND WILL FEATURE...
THE BRIAN JEFFELS BAND
Multi-instrumentalist balladeer and singer-songwriter Brian will be no stranger to followers of acoustic and folk music in Northants and Bedfordshire. Ranging in style from fine generic English folk songs to Celtic tunes (with a bit of Old Time thrown in), this ex prog rocker has an instantly recognisable style and is much in demand at clubs and festivals around the East Midlands. Now with a fine band that, as well as guitar, features fiddle, whistle, recorder, bodrhan, and virtually every kind of stringed instrument you can think of, we’re delighted that Brian is at last making his club debut. (www.brianjeffels.com)
