Kim Edgar

“exceptional” (Tom Morton, BBC Radio Scotland)
“one of Scotland’s undiscovered gems” (Daily Record)
“an artist clearly at the top of her game - *****” (Fringe Review)
Edinburgh-based pianist and songwriter Kim Edgar’s second solo album, The Ornate Lie, has grown out of her love of stories, and in particular, fairy tales. As a child, Kim remembers her horror at the laces of Snow White’s bodice being tightened by the evil Queen in an attempted murder, before the poisoned apple was offered...
“The idea that a woman’s clothing could be used against her really captured my attention; I continue to be fascinated by the fairy tale in modern popular culture, and what fairy tales - old and new - may be subliminally teaching us.”
Playing with traditional storytelling structures, and drawing on topics including the objectification of women in magazines, child neglect, love, helplessness and mortality, in The Ornate Lie (2012), Kim has created strong melodies, well observed lyrics and an honest intimacy, building on the strengths of her critically acclaimed debut, butterflies and broken glass (2008).
Produced by Mattie Foulds, The Ornate Lie places Kim’s vocal and piano playing firmly centre stage, with support from leading musicians including Steven Polwart (guitar), Kevin McGuire (bass), Mattie Foulds (drums), Corrina Hewat (harp), string quartet Mr McFall’s Chamber, and backing vocals from Karine Polwart, Inge Thomson and Andy Tucker.
Kim is a member of the genre-hopping collective The Burns Unit, whose debut release, Side Show (2010) was warmly welcomed, with performances at Cambridge Folk Festival, a television appearance on Later With Jools Holland (BBC 2) and a UK tour which led to the band being awarded one of the top 5 gigs of 2011 in The Independent. She also performed with bandmate Karine Polwart for HRH The Queen at the opening of the Scottish Parliament's fourth session in July 2011 (broadcast live on BBC 2), and Karine performed their collaboration “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” as a duet with Paolo Nutini on BBC Scotland.
Passionate about the social and emotional benefits of singing and music making, Kim leads a children’s choir at The BIG Project - a youth and children’s charity, based in Broomhouse, Edinburgh - and was featured working with Gareth Malone on BBC Children In Need 2011. She leads singing and songwriting workshops across Scotland, and recently composed a multi-choral commission, Breakthrough, for the Usher Hall (Edinburgh) and Celtic Connections (Glasgow). Kim also enjoys arranging strings, and playing piano for other artists including Karine Polwart and Annlaug Borsheim (Norway).
Attracting five star reviews for both her recorded work and live performances, Kim's songs reflect her classical piano background, and her interest in horror, fairy tales, feminism and social history, which she studied during her degree in English Language & Literature. Her songs are beginning to make their way in the world, with live performances at a range of UK venues and festivals, a European tour in 2011, and a growing fanbase in Scotland and further afield.
"Edgar's original songs are often very moving, literate, allusive and expressively sung - and destined to travel far beyond their Scottish genesis." ***** Scotland On Sunday