Alasdair Roberts was born to be a folk musician.

The music is in the blood of this highly original Scottish artist making his first appearance at the Kalamazoo. He is the son of singer and guitarist Alan Roberts, who performed and recorded with the legendary Dougie MacLean and Alex Campbell.

Hardly surprising, then, that he was writing songs as a kid and forming a band called Appendix Out with school pals.  His break came when he handed a demo tape to US folk star Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham) and a record deal with American label Drag City followed.

Now, several albums down the line, he has critical acclaim. "A rare talent,” says music writer Barnaby Smith,  of the Quietus. "…who can relate folk music with such scholarly authenticity and penetrate on such an emotional level at the same time.” Timothy Monger of AllMusic says:”His almost mystical take on traditional Scottish fare and dedication to crafting original material in a similar vein have placed him in a category of his own.”

And Neil Spencer of The Guardian summed up one Roberts album thus..”The twisting melodies and cryptic imagery are a delight.  By turns, droll, pungent and lovely.”