A career stretching through almost 13 years with nine albums
and even a coveted Mercury Prize nomination for her second release. So why don’t
more people know about the boundless talents of Kathryn Williams?
Her new project, The Pond, could be about to change that as
she takes a different route on the well-travelled folk path and collaborates
with musicians Ginny Clee and Simon Edwards bringing a freshness to the
project. Kathryn has been synonymous with the folk genre for over a decade but
it seems that the collaborative nature of this current project is pushing her
even further than before producing some of her most innovative work to date.
The new project sees Kathryn’s delicately intricate guitar
work and whispering vocals combined with more modern elements which undoubtedly
come from the collaborative influence now present in her work. Kathryn also
seems to be exploring a slightly darker side of her persona with this new
project exposing a more melancholic depth not seen on any previous
releases. It’s not all doom and gloom though, and it’s pleasing to see the
group’s open attitude to varied influences, showcased particularly well by
their collaboration with rapper Kirsch.
The Pond’s innovative spin on the genre could be just the
thing to put Kathryn Williams and her collaborators into the wider public
consciousness where they belong.