Kathryn Edwards

I was once told to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and to be late is unacceptable, well for once it was fortunate that Sandman arrived a few minutes to meet Miss Kathryn Edwards, a shining talent in the growing Manchester alternative folk scene. As I walked nearer to my destination I was questioning my initial choice for our meeting, Big Hands Bar on Oxford Road, Manchester, I began to worry that there may not be enough room or tranquility to conduct our discussion but rather fortunately I arrived to find the bar closed and Kathryn and Illustrator Mike Redmond waiting for me, and so another venue was quickly agreed upon.

You may have been lucky enough to catch the enchanting tones of Kathryn Edwards on her many live dates around the country. She has an impressive live history playing most venues around Manchester in a quest to reach what she said is her favourite venue 'The Bridgewater Hall'. In the past Kathryn has supported Liam Frost And The Slowdown Family, Kathryn Williams and Lykke Li. She was also the first act to play at Manchester's new casino Manchester 235 on the opening night when The Slowdown Family performed as her backing band and one Tess Daley was hostess. She stated that this was her finest live performance to date but that she did prefer performing as a solo artist due to the freedom it provided her. Kathryn has also contributed vocals to Liam Frost And The Slowdown Family's debut album 'Show Me How The Spectres Dance' on track 'Try Try Try', Danton Supple who has recorded with the likes of Beth Orton, Coldplay and Doves produced the album.

Her last single a double A-side of 'Triangular Smile' and 'Close Your Mind' was rewarded with single of the week in Piccadilly Records, Manchester, upon its release in March of this year. She hand sewed the sleeves herself making the release instantly collectable and unique for the lucky few who snapped up every copy in the store. In her words "Having the artwork creates a picture in your head". It is quite refreshing to meet an artist today who believes in giving her audience something other than an audio file. For those who are not yet aware of the music of Kathryn Edwards the sleeve housing her songs could be what first introduces them to her talent, unless you are fortunate enough to have your poster displayed on the record store wall or have your music played continually through the sound system the record sleeve is the only form of advertising you have, fighting for the recognition of its existence in a wilderness of contemporaries some of whom have substantial financial backing.

Music and art are intertwined in the life of Miss Edwards. Kathryn the illustrator uses her interactive arts qualification to good use selling her work in the Manchester Craft And Design Centre, which is based in the Northern Quarter. This gives her ample opportunity to sell her music and create some packaging for her future releases whilst also preparing work to exhibit. Her art has been displayed at the platform gallery in Clitheroe, the Whitworth Art Gallery Cafe in Manchester, the Bowery in Leeds and the Urbis in Manchester. This year at the In The City Festival in Manchester Kathryn was immortalised in the art of Illustrator/Songwriter Gideon Conn who showcased a picture he'd drawn of her at his Urban Outfitters gig, the picture is still on display.

She also contributed a song to a project by artist Joe Simpson, in which a piece of music interpreted a piece of his art. This would seem to be a perfect inspiration for her writing as Kathryn said that she wanted her lyrics to be visual, "to create a picture in the mind of the listener". Most recently Kathryn performed at the Cornerhouse Gallery, Manchester as part of an event called 'North West Women In Film' which was presented by Birds Eye View in partnership with Girls On Film. The event was to promote the work of female film directors, surprisingly only seven percent of film directors today are women.

Kathryn does not tend to be influenced by one particular person but by people in general and by everyday occurances. Her art influences her music and her music influences her art. She likes the music of Beirut, Spinto Band, Iron And Wine and Hanne Hukkelberg and the art of Sabrina Ward Harrison.

Kathryn said she was looking forward to recording new tracks and that she had a lot of new material. She has already been recording with singer/songwriter Ben McGarvey at his home studio, she mentioned that she enjoyed her first bedroom recording as it released her from the studio constraints she had become accustomed to since she was 17. From the sessions one track in particular she said was different from her last single as it was more akin to her live sound. She stated that she would like to play more gigs outside Manchester, and as such she is planning a tour to promote the release of her next single 'Play A Game' in January. This will hopefully bring her one step closer to the Bridgewater Hall.

Interview by Iain Ferry
Illustration by Mike Redmond

www.myspace.com/kathrynedwards