Our single of the week goes to another emerging UK country artist. Kaity Rae. Out today, 'Before I Knew' is the first track from her forthcoming EP, This Time Around.'Before I Knew' is a song very much in the vein of US chart-toppers, Kelsea Ballerini and Kellie Pickler - the perfect mix of country and pop, with a strong female voice behind it all. It's also reminiscent of Taylor Swift's early discography, with the song about a girl who both learns that her boyfriend is up to no good and learns that she is also better without the cheating scoundrel in her life.
The single is very easy to listen to (in addition to being very catchy) and this is in no small part to Kaity's gorgeous voice and that fact that she does not feel the need to adopt a faux-Southern accent to sing a country song (faux-Southern accents are, admittedly, this reviewers biggest pet peeve). It feels natural, easy on the ears and it's a sign that the future of the UK country scene is only going from strength to strength.
About Kaity Rae
Kaity Rae is a singer-songwriter from North London set to take the UK Country scene by storm in 2016 following a two week song writing trip to Nashville in April and winning a place in a song writing workshop courtesy of PRS at The Americana Music Association UK awards early 2016.
Spark was Kaity's debut EP, and was released on the 5th of November 2014. This has led to radio play on Amazing Radio, BBC Gloucestershire and more recently a live session and interview on BBC Introducing Three Counties. The EP has also gained attention from top UK Country acts, including The Shires' Ben Earle who took to twitter to say that he 'Loves' the fourth and final track 'It Is'.
She has also had three songs featured on 'Folkstock Records' Compilation albums - 'It Is' on 'The F Spot: Femme Fatales' which gained a 4* review from The Telegraph, a place in their top folk albums of 2015 plus a coveted review in The Sunday Times and her song 'Red Paper Wrapping' was recorded for, and released on 'The Christmas Present which also made the Culture Magazine for The Sunday Times. Due to her involvement with these compilations, Kaity has received mentions in various newspapers including The Evening Standard, and was playlisted in Music Week Magazine.
Kaity gigs all over southern England and has supported the likes of Sasha Mcveigh and Sonia Leigh on their 'Mind the Gap Tour', US singer/songwriters Jeffrey Foucault, Angel Snow and Dayna Kurtz. She has also played in top London venues such as the 02 Islington, The Bedford and The Roundhouse for Roundhouse Rising.
Since the release of Spark, Kaity has been developing her sound whilst studying a song writing degree at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, and is now releasing her second EP, This Time Around on June 10th. The opening track, 'Before I Knew' is out as a single on 20th May. Produced by John Denzil Dines, recorded at Cream Room Sound Productions studio and released on Folkstock Records
'Before I Knew' is out NOW. Her second EP will be follow on June 10th - check back then for our review of it.
