'Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs’ – Guitarist
Magazine
Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been
that of open skies and widening rivers. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through her assured
guitar style and songwriting. Now, as Katie steps into this new era with a third album, her focus turns to those
deeper 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 was
truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill, Julie Byrne and perhaps most evidently Michael
Chapman, weave into her sound. Katie absorbs these influences into her songwriting and with her distinctive
deep vibrato and crystal-clear guitar style, she makes the music inimitably her own.
Katie will release her third album What Love Is in October 2025; an intimate collection of ten brand-new
songs produced by Matt Ingram (Laura Marling, The Staves). Recorded in London’s Urchin Studios and
featuring prominent players Giacomo Smith (clarinet), Max Clilverd (pedal steel), Tom Mason (double bass)
and Matt Ingram (drums, synth). What Love Is evokes the spirit of Joni Mitchell’s finest later works, always
honouring without emulating. Lyrically mature and at times pastoral; 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 pristine in delivery. The musicianship throughout the record
feels liberated by Katie’s innovation and confidence, and the result is a master-class of inspired and
beautiful-sounding craftmanship.
‘... 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 she
threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces tapestries of song.' – Ralph McTell
Katie has toured extensively and is a powerful and confident presence on stage, delivering her finely-tuned
music with humour and insight. It is often said that Katie draws audiences into her mesmerising and musically
articulate world with gentle affection and care. Her impressive live touring schedule is testament to this, and
has seen her headline some of the most prestigious venues in the UK, including Portsmouth Cathedral and The
Trades 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 overseas
adventures including extensive tours in Europe and Australia (including Port Fairy Folk Festival). This year
Katie continues to tour widely in the UK and Europe, and was also invited to represent Britain and perform at
the prestigious Folk Alliance International in Montreal, Canada. She recently became the owner and endorsee
of a custom-built signature guitar, specially crafted for her by distinguished luthier Tom Sands and is looking
forward to taking this beautiful instrument out on the road in 2025.
Her debut album Weather Beaten (2019) was praised for its “unique song-craft, spell-binding musicianship
and crystal sonic clarity,” as she brought together fans of music from all backgrounds and walks of life. This
was 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 Arran
Ahmun 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 of
some of Laura Marling’s best work. Wonderful stuff; let this one live with you for a while to discover its
powers.' – KLOF
www.katiespencer.net
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