In a style that blends the storytelling of traditional song with the honest, laid-back feel of acoustic-roots music, Caliko’s coffeehouse folk recounts the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.

Living on their wits, pin money from gigs and sales of their two self-released CDs – ‘Pictures’, a 12-track mix of studio demos and home recordings, and their 6-track ‘Live and Acoustic at Augill Castle’ EP – Jo and Jon have notched up over 70 performances in the past eight months.

It’s not just the music that is drawing a crowd. Caliko have been turning heads wherever they go in their striking silver tour van.

The unique van has been described variously as retro and futuristic, a space pod, a giant pram on wheels and even the Barbie Boudoir (on account of its custom fuchsia shot silk and turquoise wool interior).

Though the van hasn’t made the long trip from the UK to New Zealand, the pair will cover a lot of ground during their tour, with gigs already booked in Wellington, Otaki, Christchurch, the Golden Bay and Auckland. Check out their comprehensive website www.caliko.net for gig dates, free downloads, pictures and tour diary.

Expect songs that recount the extraordinary lives of ordinary people – school friends turned assassins, shaggers, shipwreckers, cross-dressing sailors – in a performance stripped back to two voices, guitar and accordion.

The critics say:

“Perfectly-crafted folky songs that rock – albeit quietly.”
Reading-festival.org

"Talented musicians with some superb songs, see them while they're still playing small venues"
Daily Mirror

"Jo Giles draws her folk from a deeper well than many of her yankee counterparts . . . June Tabor comes to mind, but Jo's voice and vision are her own."
Download.com (Editor's review)