Kate and Edith

You CAN have your Kate and Edith, too!

Last February, Julia, Joe and Lindsay found themselves traveling together in a dodge van towards Austin, Texas to perform individually at the North American Folk Alliance Conference. During the conference, a guerilla showcase spot became available and the three joined to perform some of the traditional and original songs they had been playing at night in their shared hotel room. This would be the first of many performances together. Halfway through their set, a man in the front row jumped up and demanded, “Do you smell that?” Not waiting for an answer, he declared, “Money, I smell money!” Comparing theirs to the story of how Crosby, Stills and Nash came together, the man invited them back to record their small set on his Dictaphone, insisting that he had uncovered something great. Gathered into the small room, the chattering crowd concurred, returning for the impromptu recording session later that night. Julia, Joe and Lindsay, swayed by their striking musical union, formed Kate and Edith upon their return to Montreal. They continue to hear similar reactions of excitement and discovery from audiences each time they play.

An acoustic trio, Kate and Edith are proudly rooted in the folk traditions of Appalachian mountain ballads, classic blues and bluegrass; performing rousing original and traditional tunes that combine the spirited atmosphere, longing melodies, driving rhythms and the layered harmonies that are so deeply embedded in the roots of these traditions.

Amounting to more than their individual parts, the members of Kate and Edith are all talented solo musicians in their own right. Joe Grass, East Coast hailing guitar virtuoso with a gift for weaving melodic folk-blues soundscapes, has shared the stage with well-known performers such as Harry Manx and Ken Whitely, opening for artists such as Kelly Joe Phelps and Steve Forbert. Julia Kater, a Montreal native who has performed on stages throughout Quebec and Ontario, melts audiences with the combination of her rich, alto voice, poignant stage presence and unique arrangements on guitar and mandola. Lindsay Cuff, originally from the West Coast, combines her multi-instrumental prowess with her polished soprano voice, and is armed with her experience of collaborating with bands from one Canadian shore to the other.

Kate and Edith recently opened for Canadian “Duchess of Folk” Penny Lang in Montreal, QC where an audience member stated: “I am so pleased to be able to say ‘I knew them when...’” Broadening their venues through a growing fan base, this talented young trio possesses a magnetic energy that audiences don’t easily forget.