The Swallow's Tale

Grigri grooves, psychedelic desert blues and mystically mazy melodies from Kentish Town via Bamako.

Born in the devious mind of London’s own Malian rhythm buff, Hans Sutton, Bamako Overground have been busy forging a curious new sound. The trio are irresistibly seduced by the music of west Africa, blending its influences overtly and covertly with their own carefully-selected flavours to settle into seriously tasty dance grooves and rocking Mali blues.

Hans plays his distinctive hybrid drum kit, which brought Mandé styles to worldly pop folksters such as Nick Mulvey and Cocos Lovers.  He’s flanked by the sparkling guitar of Yaaba Funk co-founder Tobias Sturmer and the hypnotic, heavy bass of folk maestro Theo Bard.

Rhythms with roots to break the pavement meet melodies of mud and honey, while crunching three-part vocal harmonies spin allegories in English and occasional Bamanankan to complete a brew that’s compelling and utterly unique.

email hans@cantab.net for bookings

Bamako Overground

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