Kate Martin and the Shallowsea Choir

Biography

Since the release of her debut album in June last year, Kate Martin has been living outside of her musical comfort zone. After becoming known as a solo folk artist defined by an acoustic guitar, Kate formed (and re-formed) a band to start playing her own unique brand of experimental pop. The reason for this change was not some life-changing event, although there were more than enough of those. It wasn't due to a lack of success - quite the opposite - the album received good radio airplay and press coverage, a finalist in a number of songwriting competitions, and was used in TV shows, short films and commercials. The catalyst for the turnaround was the chance discovery of an old Stratocaster in an op shop in her home town of Townsville. After haggling the price down and falling in love with a new sound, Kate began her transformation into Kate Martin and the Shallowsea Choir. Lush, complex instrumentation and percussion complements Kate's harp-like fingerpicking guitar style and layered harmonies invoking various musical styles. A new album will be released in February 2012.