Katy Carr

來自倫敦的民謠女歌手.
Katy Carr is a London based performer and songwriter who plays with her group ‘The Aviators.’ She has released two albums on her own label Deluce Recordings. ‘Screwing Lies,’ 2001 and ‘Passion Play’ 2003 with a third ‘Coquette’ coming out on 9th Nov 2009.
‘I called the group Katy Carr and the Aviators partly because my lineup has changed so many times over the years and almost like a airplane my group has rolled, yawed and looped in many directions. As a solo performer I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful musicians and artists and there have been no barriers in my [air] lines of creativity!’
‘Coquette’ Katy’s third album, was recorded in a bedroom studio with producer Nick Crofts opposite the 1936 Grade II listed Odeon Art Deco cinema in Muswell Hill, North London. It is a carefully crafted album of beauty honing the talents of Katy Carr’s song writing and the vast spectrum of contemporary sonic delights from Producer Nick Crofts – ‘Crofty.’ Inspired primarily by themes, stories, characters and music from Britain, France, Germany and Poland in the 1940s the songs on ‘Coquette’ have been delicately and elegantly arranged.
‘However, if you’re expecting the record to sound like a lost Andrews Sisters 78 then you soon need to think again. She actually sounds a little like Beth Gibbons after considerably fewer cigs, but her spectral tones are enormously attractive and while the subject matter may seem anachronistic, the sound itself is state of the art. ‘ 8/10 Whisperin and Hollerin
‘This album is a scrapbook of characters, places and stories from deep inside Carr’s imagination and it has been a mesmerising experience to glimpse into her world. I can’t fault this album. Quite simply it is a masterpiece.’ 5/5 The Music Critic .
‘The name of my group ‘the Aviators’ bears special meaning for me because all the way through my teenage years I wanted to join the RAF – I had no intention at that time to join or to become involved in the entertainment business… I wanted to be a Fighter Pilot!’
Herself a qualified pilot with a lifelong fascination with all manner of aerial things, Katy Carr weaves her fascinating storysongs from a unique perspective. Born to a Polish mother and English father, early dalliances with her Catholic ancestry were replaced by an obsession with the wonders of flight. An RAF scholarship followed and Katy was soon soaring through the skies and gaining a whole new outlook on the immensity (and, conversely, the triviality) of things. References to flying and celestial matters are rife throughout her compositions and the songs.
‘I joined The Air Training Corps [ATC] at 13 years old and was constantly thrilled. Every weekend I would hang out with RAF pilots, visiting different aerodromes and airflields. I dreamt of flying all the time and was hugely inspired by Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson. The era of the 1940s also provoked a strong passion for the music of Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, The Ink Spots and George Formby. I loved the black and white films of the era and watching incredible dancers and tappers like Fred and GInger and The Nicholas Brothers and of course most of all learning about RJ Mitchell’s Supermarine ‘Spitfire,’ aircraft.’
‘Katy Carr has a lot going for her. Her sensual vocal delivery and the frisson of sophistication emanating from her best songs gropes towards timelessness. Her ‘Coquette’ is a beguiling beauty who breezes through enemy lines, but believe me you’ll follow her. Hear these siren’s songs and you’ll be smitten.’ 8/10 Whisperin and Hollerin
Previous Collaborations and projects include….
Katy Carr and The Aviators’ debut performance at The Royal Opera House in July 2008 hosted by Flomotion DJ Nick Luscombe. Katy directed a group of 12 musicians and 4 dancers at the prestigious and momentous event encompassing accompaniments with a string quartet, accordionist grand piano, tuba, cello, backing vocals and finishing off with the infamous song made famous by Marlene Dietrich ‘Lili Marlene.’
Release of ‘The Crow Club’ compilation on Peopletree Records an offshoot label of Acid Jazz Jan 2008 – Katy Carr ran a successful folk club called The Crow Club between 2005 and 2008 at The Strongroom Bar in Shoreditch East London – performers included Patrick Wolf, The Rumble Strips, Amy Winehouse. Even our favourite minstrel and Mancunian Ian Brown popped in once! Katy now also comperes at our sister club ‘The Magpie’s Nest,’ started and run by Joe Burski and Sam Lee.
‘Aftershock Project’ at the Arts Depot North Finchley with Nitin Sawhney in March 2007.
Duet with John Hegley on Katy’s song Turpin released in 2003 on her second album ‘Passion Play’ Collaborations with various dancers, artist(e)s, film makers and musicians which include: Vault49, Susan Burghart, Pooka, Sharon Lewis, Patrick Wolf, Katharine Blake and The Mediaeval Baebes, The Title Sequence, Sound of Bailey, Bromide, Circulus, Rosie Meres, Anthony Elvin, Christine Luby, Hannah Grace Lovell at Redstart Productions, Melanie Simpson, Jeremy Vass, The Kooks.