About

The Black Feathers - Photo

The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations.

The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, are two such talents. They first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012.

“Once in a blue moon, the whole soars far above the sum of its parts. That’s what happens when The Black Feathers perform live”

- Black Mountain News, North Carolina

Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in their musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often only heard in family bands. Their music quickly draw the interest of listeners, but it is the stage chemistry that will keep them riveted.

Having already built up a loyal following in the UK, The Black Feathers have been spreading their wings across the US. They have performed at Philadelphia Folk Festival and AmericanaFest, and have also been awarded official showcases at the North East Regional and Far-West Folk Alliance conferences.

With a new single and a live album in the pipeline, these are exciting times for what FATEA refer to as "a duo of undeniable talent".


CD Reviews

Soaked to the Bone

Soaked to the Bone

"Absolutely Wonderful"
 Whispering Bob Harris (BBC Radio 2)

"Mesmerising and stunning in equal measure...
An artistic triumph for a duo of undeniable talent."
 FATEA

"Draws you in for a brilliant, effervescent ride from the moment you press play"
 Maverick ★★★★

"Sheer poetic beauty both lyrically and musically."
 Cryptic Rock ★★★★★

"Positively sparkles with energy and joy.
Magical ballads that would encourage the rowdiest of crowds to fall silent."
 For the Country Record

"an impressive and diverse debut that grabs the attention from the off and doesn’t let go."
 Rhythm & Booze

"an exciting album packed full of great tunes, sumptuous harmonies and a writing style that aches with heartfelt sincerity."
 Three Chords and the Truth


Strangers We Meet

Strangers We Meet EP

“The Black Feathers could well be Britain’s answer to Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings”
 Flying Shoes
“...gorgeous close harmonies – two voices paired to perfection”
 Folkwords
“...their blend of English folk influences and Americana is a tasty concoction indeed”
 R2 Magazine
“The Black Feathers are acoustic, but with enough power and force to drive a sledgehammer.”
 fRoots Magazine
“Their five-song debut EP, Strangers We Meet, is full of nice touches and sweet harmonies”
 The Telegraph

The Black Feathers - Photo

Live Reviews

“...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

Sponsors

Santa Cruz Guitar Company Blackstar Amps Shubb Capos

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LATEST REVIEWS

"Absolutely Wonderful"
 Whispering Bob Harris (BBC Radio 2) Read More

"Mesmerising and stunning in equal measure...
An artistic triumph for a duo of undeniable talent."
 FATEA Read More

"Draws you in for a brilliant, effervescent ride from the moment you press play"
 Maverick ★★★★ Read More

"Sheer poetic beauty both lyrically and musically."
 Cryptic Rock ★★★★★ Read More

UPCOMING SHOWS

March

Thu 21st - Lansdowne Folk Club, Lansdowne, PA, US
Fri 22nd - House Concert, Pittsburgh, PA, US
Sun 24th - Mountain Stage @ The Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre, Morgantown, WV, US

May

Thu 9th - The Sound Lounge, Sutton, UK
Sat 11th - St Edith Folk, Cranbrook, UK
Tue 14th - The Piggy Bank, Calne, UK
Fri 17th - Wingfield Barns, Wingfield, UK
Sat 18th - Bobbing Barn (Private Event), Sittingbourne, UK
Fri 24th - Melbourne Assembly Rooms, Melbourne, UK
VIEW ALL UPCOMING SHOWS

March

Thu 21st
Lansdowne Folk Club
Lansdowne, PA, US
Fri 22nd
House Concert
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Doors: 7:00pm
Sun 24th
Mountain Stage @ The Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre
Morgantown, WV, US

May

Thu 9th
The Sound Lounge
Sutton, UK
Sat 11th
St Edith Folk
Cranbrook, UK
Tue 14th
The Piggy Bank
Calne, UK
Fri 17th
Wingfield Barns
Wingfield, UK
Sat 18th
Bobbing Barn (Private Event)
Sittingbourne, UK
Doors: 7:00pm
Fri 24th
Melbourne Assembly Rooms
Melbourne, UK
Sat 25th
Cafe#9
Sheffield, UK
Sun 26th
Bristol Folk House
Bristol, UK

June

Fri 14th
House Concert
Hillsville, VA, US
Doors: 7:00pm
Sat 15th
Coopers House Concert
Columbia, MD, US
Mon 17th
49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery
Annapolis, MD, US
Wed 19th
Folk Music Society of Huntington
Huntington, NY, US
Thu 20th
Newton Cultural Alliance
Newton, MA, US
Fri 21st
Caffè Lena
Saratoga Springs, NY, US
Sat 22nd
6 On the Square
Oxford, NY, US
Thu 27th
Medallion Opera House, Gorham Town Hall
Gorham, NH, US
Fri 28th
Plainfield Town Hall Opera House
Plainfield, VT, US
Sat 29th
Flying Cat Music
Phoenicia, NY, US
Sun 30th
Cozy Cabin House Concerts
Green Brook Township, NJ, US

July

Wed 3rd
Taylor Community Inc
Laconia, NH, US
Doors: 5:00pm
Sat 13th
Ground Floor, Freeport
Freeport, ME, US
Sun 14th
House Concert
Rockport, MA, US
Doors: 3:00pm
Fri 19th
Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ, US
Sat 20th
The Chapel Restoration
Cold Spring, NY, US
Sun 21st
House Concert
New Haven, CT, US
Doors: 3:00pm
Tue 23rd
Chirp
Ridgefield, CT, US
Doors: 6:00pm

August

Thu 1st - Sun 4th
Mile of Music
Appleton, WI, US
Thu 8th
The Robin Theatre
Lansing, MI, US
Sat 10th
20 Front Street
Lake Orion, MI, US
Doors: 8:00pm
Sun 11th
House Concert
Ann Arbor, MI, US
Doors: 3:00pm
Thu 22nd
House Concert
St. Louis, MO, US
Doors: 6:30pm
Fri 23rd
The Bixler 108
Unionville, MO, US
Doors: 7:00pm
Sat 24th
Green Guitar Folk House
Lenexa, KS, US
Sun 25th
House Concert
Kansas City, MO, US
Doors: 7:00pm

September

Thu 12th
Oak Park Library
Oak Park Township, IL, US
Doors: 7:00pm
Fri 13th
Green Wood Coffee House - Out of Eden
Grass Lake, MI, US
Doors: 7:30pm
Sat 14th
Trinity House Theatre
Livonia, MI, US
Doors: 8:00pm