Under the Radar: Kate Young

Kate Young’s international band includes an Austrian yodeller and a Bulgarian gadulka player, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon

At the age of five, Kate Young saw a piano in a Gorbebridge junk shop and persuaded her parents to buy it. This set her on a path of musical exploration which included working out Muse’s catalogue on the ivories, a deep appreciation of Tori Amos, a Paul Hamlyn Award and a Radio 2 Folk Award.

Young’s most recent endeavour is the captivating concept album Umbelliferæ, which is inspired by plant lore and ancient medicinal uses for wildflowers. Released last week, it draws on multiple influences including chamber music, indie/pop and traditional music from across the globe. The international flavour is underpinned by her band, who she met at world music camp in Slovenia, and includes an Austrian yodeller and a Bulgarian gadulka player. Moreover, Young’s creative process is further influence by her synesthesia, which enables her to see colours in sound.

Today she completes a UK tour and her next musical outing is a special collaboration with poet and playwright Hannah Lavery at Edinburgh’s Traverse on 1 December. Unwritten Women is a re-telling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll & Hyde with a focus on the female characters. See https://kateyoungmusic.com

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide, see www.borntobewide.co.uk

Off Axis Tours CIC is an artist-to-artist, community interest company, on a mission to make the live industry fairer for musicians. Off Axis enables bands and solo acts to build a nationwide fanbase by swapping gigs and touring the UK. They offer a transparent model, where artists keep 100 per cent of profits, showcase at festivals and benefit from expert mentoring. Get tickets or join at https://offaxisgigs.com