Expect jaw-dropping performances from one of Scotland’s most modest musical stars.
She has thousands of fans, and one thing they are grateful for – apart from the wonderful music she creates – is that Kathryn Joseph has finally managed to overcome her shyness, so more people can appreciate her wonderful music.
Kathryn, who was born in Inverness, has a mum from Golspie and grew up in Dunnecht, shot to fame after releasing her debut album, Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled, in January 2015.
It quietly became much-loved among a keen-eared band of admirers, before a surge of critical acclaim culminated with it winning the Scottish Album of the Year Award.
After years of keeping a musical low profile, and being regarded as one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets, she was catapulted into the spotlight.
Speaking to her in her Glasgow home, ahead of her latest Highlands and Islands tour which begins tomorrow night, Kathryn said: “For years I played live gigs while working as a waitress and always loved playing live, but I never chased success as I wasn’t keen on the things that came with it, such as doing interviews or having photographs taken.
“I worked as a waitress in the Lemon Tree for five years and would perform there and at Drummond’s in Aberdeen,” said Kathryn, 42.
“When I first moved to Glasgow, my neighbours were Marcus and Claire Mackay (they founded, Hit The Fan Records, the label that released Frightened Rabbit’s debut album) – how lucky was that!”
They made it possible for Kathryn’s album to be heard properly and gave her the chance to play some launch gigs, which in turn, saw her album scoop the top award.
So how is she coping with the fame and fortune which has come her way as a result?
“There’s no fortune, but there has been fame, and I’m coping with it. I would always avoid speaking publicly, and while it’s still not something that I like, I’m now much more comfortable with it. Every member of the press I’ve met has been lovely, I don’t know why I was so scared of them!”
Catherine, accompanied by Scottish music industry veteran Marcus Mackay, begins an eight-date Highlands and Islands tour tomorrow night. The tour is the first to be developed by GET IN, a new music initiative developed to train and support young promoters aged 16-26 and help them bring world-class performance to their local communities.
The promoters completed a six-month training programme culminating in this tour, which visits remote venues and gives locals a chance to see one of Scotland’s most celebrated musicians play live.
Kathryn, who juggles life as a musician with being a mum to five-year-old Eve, said: “I was the lucky person who got involved with this tour. As well as performing tracks from the album, Marcus and I will play new tracks – we are just getting to the end of the new album.
“It is very exciting as this will be the first time that Marcus and I have played live. I can’t wait for it and feel so lucky at being able to play in all these small and beautiful places, while I’m looking forward to seeing how the new songs feel out loud for the first time.”
The GET IN tour starts in Boat of Garten Friday, March 10, and starts at 8.30pm (01479 831123 or 01463 231328). Other dates include: Saturday, March 11, 7.30pm, Seaboard Memorial Hall, Tain (01862 832888); Sunday, March 12, 7.30pm, James Milne Institute, Findhorn (07789 512585); Monday, March 13, 7pm, Inverness Cathedral Hall (07399613166); March 15, 7.30pm, Astley Hall, Arisaig (01687450263); March 16, 7.30pm Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat, Skye (01471 844207); March 17, 7.30pm, The Rockfield Centre Community Hut, Oban (www.ticketsource.co.uk); March 18, 8pm, Bruichladdich Hall, Bruichladdich (01496 850190). Contact: www.kathrynjoseph.co.uk
