Descripción
- ''Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs’ – GuitaristMagazine‘Fresh as a sweet Sunday morning’ – MOJO ★★★★‘A fine singer-songwriter, and an excellent guitarist’ – Songlines ★★★★‘A master-class of inspired and beautifully-sounding craftsmanship’ – KLOF‘One of the most distinctive voices in folk music’ – Folk London‘What Love Is is a triumph. Katie deploys her signature vocal vibrato to devastating effect’ – At The BarrierRaised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always beenthat of open skies and widening rivers. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through her assuredguitar style and songwriting. Now, as Katie steps into this new era with a third album, her focus turns to thosedeeper inner spaces, inviting the listener to engage with her heartfelt and intricately crafted songs.Her writing, and most notably her guitar playing, stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument wastruly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill, Julie Byrne and perhaps most evidently MichaelChapman weave into her sound. Katie absorbs these influences into her songwriting and with her distinctivedeep vibrato and crystal-clear guitar style, she makes the music inimitably her own.Katie released her third album What Love Is in October 2025; an intimate collection of ten brand-new songsproduced by Matt Ingram (Laura Marling, The Staves). It reached #12 in the Official Folk Albums Chart uponrelease. Recorded in London’s Urchin Studios and featuring prominent players Giacomo Smith (clarinet), MaxClilverd (pedal steel), Tom Mason (double bass) and Matt Ingram (drums, synth). What Love Is evokes thespirit of Joni Mitchell’s finest later works, always honouring without emulating. Lyrically mature and at timespastoral; the album is melodically sophisticated and unflinchingly honest. She moves effortlessly from wide-open jazz-tinged soundscapes, influenced by Pharoah Sanders and John Abercrombie, through to the folk-baroque fingerpicking style that her fans admire her for. Her singing is powerful yet warm, true and pristinein delivery. The musicianship throughout the record feels liberated by Katie’s innovation and confidence, andthe result is a master-class of inspired and beautiful-sounding craftsmanship.‘... a world-class folk guitarist’ – fRoots'Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver shethreads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces tapestries of song.' – Ralph McTellKatie has toured extensively and is a powerful and confident presence on stage, delivering her finely-tunedmusic with humour and insight. It is often said that Katie draws audiences into her mesmerising and musicallyarticulate world with gentle affection and care. Her impressive live touring schedule is testament to this, andhas seen her headline some of the most prestigious venues in the UK, including St Pancras Old Church and TheTrades Club in Hebden Bridge, and perform at many respected major folk festivals such as the world-renowned Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival. Her live history also features many overseasadventures including extensive tours in Europe and Australia (including Port Fairy Folk Festival). Last yearKatie continued to tour widely in the UK and Europe, and was also invited to represent Britain and perform atthe prestigious Folk Alliance International in Montreal, Canada. She recently became the owner and endorseeof a custom-built signature guitar, specially crafted for her by distinguished luthier Tom Sands and is lookingforward to taking this beautiful instrument out on the road in 2026.Her debut album Weather Beaten (2019) was praised for its “unique song-craft, spell-binding musicianshipand crystal sonic clarity,” as she brought together fans of music from all backgrounds and walks of life. Thiswas followed by The Edge of the Land (2022), which reached #14 in the Official Folk Charts upon release.This record also features Tom Mason on double bass, with additional percussion and piano provided by ArranAhmun and Spencer Cozens, musicians who developed their craft in the John Martyn band.'One of the most satisfying and spellbinding singer-songwriter collections I’ve encountered in some time.' –RnR Magazine'A timeless English folk album...’ – Shindig!'This is beautifully written and played music, with the quiet consistency and confidence in its performers ofsome of Laura Marling’s best work. Wonderful stuff; let this one live with you for a while to discover itspowers.' – KLOF