BIOG
“…love this lady’s voice…she really means what she’s singing. Lovely.” Joss Stone
“Already on my shortlist for album of the year.” Shakenstir Magazine
“It’s lie-down-in-a-darkened-room-to-drink-it-all-in good.” Venue Magazine
“Katey’s rich, sonorous voice is strongly reminiscent of the great June Tabor, and her material is similarly wide
ranging…yes, it’s that good…Definitely a name to watch.” Choice Magazine
Born and raised in a commune setting between Bristol, London and Arizona, to hippy music-loving parents, Katey’s unique sound and style epitomizes the culturally diverse environment in which she grew up. Drawing influences from artists like Johnny Cash and Kate Bush, her voice is often compared to the likes of Joan Armatrading, and Annie Lennox, and has best been described as a voice “…to melt glaciers” (Venue Magazine 2012).
Katey released her debut album ‘Proof Of Life’ on her label True Speaker Records in March 2010, the album reaching No1 in the Amazon Folk Chart soon after and has had radio plays on BBC Radio 1 and 6.
Since then Katey has gone on to play at the London Paralympics, Glastonbury, WOMAD, a BBC Introducing Stage headliner at Wychwood, and support a host of credible artists such as Newton Faulkner, Mercury nominee Lou Rhodes, Mike and The Mechanics, Grammy nominees Cutting Crew, and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Chris Wood.
Besides her own works, Brooks’s “John Martyn-esque” (Manchester Evening News 2011) lamenting tones have earned her features on BBC Radio 2 Children in Need album ‘Bandaged Together’, recorded at Abbey Road with artists such as Bill Wyman, Nick Mason, and Paloma Faith, as well as compilations with Ane Brun and Anais Mitchell.
Most recently, Brooks was added to the Starbucks playlist worldwide, and signed an endorsement deal with America guitar makers Alvarez, joining the ranks of Grammy Award winner Ani Difranco, and Joe Bonamassa. She is currently touring her brand new single ‘Back To Light’ which is due for release later this Spring, with plans set for an album release at the beginning of 2014. With the summer festival circuit and a string of exciting dates coming up, 2013 is set to be an exciting year!