Finding the Perfect Sound
Back in July 2024, before KJ Ceilidhs had truly found its feet, I was just trying to find the right sound—and the right instrument to carry it. I didn’t have much money, and everything felt uncertain. But what happened at Ely Folk Festival changed everything.
At the heart of it all was Squeezebox Marketplace, and the endlessly generous John Turner. I spent four hours testing out instruments—starting with eight different melodeons, gradually narrowing it down to two beautiful Dino Baffetti boxes and got a bit stuck picking between the two! In between the serious testing, I was offered other boxes as “palate cleansers,” just to clear my head and hear something different.
My one-year-old son was with me the whole time, watching from his pushchair or happily pressing buttons on my current melodeon. He loved it. The whole thing turned into a kind of informal session—lots of brilliant melodeon players stopped by, offering advice, sharing their thoughts, and joining in the music. It was a proper folk festival moment—spontaneous, warm, and full of heart.
In the end, I chose the Dino Baffetti Alpha III—not just for its warm tone and excellent responsiveness, but for its sheer versatility. It was perfect. It is perfect. The Alpha III has become the soul of the KJ Ceilidhs sound.
And it wouldn't have been possible without John Turner from Squeezebox Marketplace. He let me take the accordion on a loan and pay him back monthly, showing trust and kindness at a time I really needed it. That act of generosity helped give KJ Ceilidhs its voice and I'll be forever greatful.
A Friendship Forged in Music
But that day gave me more than just an instrument. Jon Loomes was also at the festival, selling his beautifully crafted instruments and working alongside Squeezebox Marketplace. While I was there, he fixed my old (Bb/Eb) Hohner Erika, showing that same blend of skill and generosity.
Later that evening, something unexpected and wonderful happened. Just me, Jon, and another musician named Jack ended up in a quiet, late-night session. No big audience. No fuss. Just music. It was one of those rare moments where everything clicks—musically and personally. The three of us, Jon, Jack and I became instant friends.
Since then, Jon’s become one of the most important musicians in the KJ Ceilidhs team. He’s not only a gifted guitarist—he’s a multi-instrumentalist, a brilliant composer, and a true innovator in the English folk scene. He runs Talking Cat Records and is currently working on his solo album. But above all, he’s one of the kindest, most grounded people I’ve ever met.
That night at Ely wasn’t just about buying an accordion. It was about finding the heart of something new—people, sound, and moments that shaped the band KJ Ceilidhs would become.
Because sometimes, everything really can change in a day.
Especially when the music’s right.