Kathryn Williams' The Pond Announce October UK Tour
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Written by Elliott Batte
Kathryn Williams-led trio The Pond have announced an October UK tour today, following the release of their debut album.
A ‘democratic mud pit’, The Pond is Kathryn Williams and fellow musicians Simon Edwards and Ginny Clee, who have created an album project that will take many by surprise. For Kathryn – currently in the middle of a creative purple patch – it’s a bold and exciting move, a psychotropic mix that augments vintage beats, 60’s pop, tape loops, Eastern notes - even a rapper (Kirsch, on ‘Bebop’).
The mood of the album runs from sunny and laid back but some songs leave a surprising impression of darkness. There is nothing in Kathryn’s catalogue to prepare one for the bleak, eerie strangeness of ‘End Of The Pier’, the foreboding notes and lyric of ‘Memory Let Down’ or the sparkling, mysterious possession of ‘The River’ - or much else here. Comparisons may be drawn with down-tempo artists like Lemon Jelly, Mint Royale and Bent, but The Pond’s strong emphasis is on songs and voices – the interaction between Kathryn & Ginny creating some intoxicating harmonies.
The Pond’s music developed – alongside friendships - over a two year period of on/ off recording at Simon & Ginny’s home studio in North London and by exchanging files over email with Newcastle-based Kathryn. Pooling their talents into The Pond’s eponymous debut, the album’s 11 tunes are infused with the warmth and playfulness of its makers – with Adrian Utley’s mix giving the bright, ultra-vivid melodies a positively Bristolian depth and sophistication.
A quick heads up on Kathryn’s co-conspirators. Simon – a much in demand session player - cut his teeth in Fairground Attraction scoring a worldwide hit with ‘Perfect’ in 1988, the song winning the Best Single award at the following year’s BRITS (the parent album, ‘The First of a Million Kisses’ also picking up the Best Album gong). Ginny meanwhile started out in her pop life as one half of The Dear Janes, and has subsequently contributed vocals to records by everyone from Robert Plant to Robyn Hitchcock.
If you’re a fan, you can catch her at the following dates below.
Tue 2nd Oct - Bristol Louisiana
Wed 3rd Oct - Manchester Ruby Lounge
Thu 4th Oct - Gateshead Sage 2
Sun 7th Oct - Leeds Cockpit 2
Mon 8th Oct - London Bush Hall
Mon 15th Oct - Chester Telford's Warehouse
Tues 16th Oct - Birmingham Glee Club
Wed 17th Oct - Nottingham Glee Club
Sun 21st Oct - Cardiff Glee Club
Thu 1st Nov - Basingstoke Haymarket
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