BIO
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Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull, Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. Industry still shapes the city here. The people, as with the land, are moulded by tides and stark horizons. Stand in the same place for long enough and you can watch the sun rise over the North Sea and then sink into crop fields, glowing auburn in late-summer sun. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through Katie Spencer’s music.
The songwriting, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, flow into her sound, carrying with them the warmth and idealism of the early 70’s folk and songwriter movements.
Katie Spencer’s highly anticipated new album, The Edge of the Land (2022), follows her debut release, Weather Beaten (2019) which 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.
Delicate and un-rushed, the ten songs on The Edge of the Land drift by like ships on the horizon, yet intimacy and introspection still remain.
The inclusivity found in her recorded works is most apparent when on stage, with a personal connection and humour that allows the listener time to appreciate the emotion of the music. Her historical gig list is extensive, taking in the world-renowned Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival, whilst performances with Danny Thompson and Alan Thomson have left audiences in awe of her confidence and craftsmanship.
As live music returns to our world, we can expect to see Katie Spencer where she belongs once more, eyes closed, in the moment, performing.
'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 little tapestries of song.' – Ralph McTell
'Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs and is the backbone to her music.' - Guitarist Magazine
'One of the most satisfying and spellbinding singer-songwriter collections I’ve encountered in some time.' - RnR Magazine
'A timeless English folk album, perfect for the still calm of a Sunday morning.' - 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. The Edge of the Land is an album that doesn’t feel the need to over-embellish its sound; it has the spontaneity that live performance captures combined with arrangements that are unfussy but interesting and quietly adventurous. Wonderful stuff; let this one live with you for a while to discover its powers.' - Folk Radio UK
“The way Katie plays is never contrived, showy or imitative; it sounds true … a world-class folk guitarist”- fRoots
'A remarkably assured collection of self-penned songs that celebrate the East Yorkshire countryside in which she grew up.' - Yorkshire Post
“Great discoveries are always a pleasure and Katie Spencer’s debut album Weather Beaten is a grand pleasure” - RnR Magazine
“What a gem! Packaged with vintage minimalism, this remarkable collection of original songs has a richly rewarding poetic depth in setting of complex simplicity. Katie is a remarkably fine singer with a distinctive assured voice that is very much her own in a time when female folk vocals seem overburdened by imitated archetypes. One is reminded of the impact of Joni’s vocals at a time when American female folk singers all seemed sub-Baez of ersatz-Collins. Trust me, one day, someone will describe this as a classic album with captures the early KS with perfection. It’s an album you need to hear.” - Tykes News
“If you like quality folk guitar playing and singing, all interwoven with thoughtful and clever lyrics, you will love this album and, like me, be blown away by Katie Spencer” - FATEA
“Circling crystal shimmering fingerpicked guitar … delicate, pastoral folk” - folking.com