I perfom solo acoustic gigs on piano and acoustic guitar most of the time, but I've been lucky enough to write, record and perform with a range of musicians . . .
My debut album, butterflies and broken glass, features the following musicians:
Kim Edgar (piano, acoustic guitar, vocals)
Kevin McGuire (bass)
Steven Polwart (acoustic and electric guitar)
Mattie Foulds (drums)
Karine Polwart (backing vocals)
Inge Thomson (backing vocals)
and many other talented instrumentalists on individual tracks.
On the "Wee Dote" EP, there's Paul Keeling on piano, Steve Cochrane on drums, Nial Muir on bass, Steve Cook on hammond organ and electric guitar and me on acoustic guitar/vocals.
You can listen to tracks here and purchase them at: www.kimedgar.com
I've enjoyed gigging with fellow Burnsong winners Scott Keenan (guitar/vocals) and Alex Hodgson (drums/vocals), and with Mark Taylor (bass) over the last couple of years and during 2007 summer festivals . . .
Influences
I love listening to Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Suzanne Vega, Carole King, Karine Polwart, Tanita Tikaram, U2, k.d.lang, The Killers, The Carpenters, Stina Nordenstam, Astrid Williamson, Everything But The Girl, Bic Runga, Dolly Parton, Damien Rice, Snow Patrol, Norah Jones, Paul Weller, Stevie Wonder and most 70's disco tunes!
Sounds Like
Here's what some other people have said . . . .
butterflies and broken glass *****
Edgar's intensity of performance and songwriting skills have long been noticed (she was one of the recent Burnsong composers) and this polished production sets her piano and guitar skills in textures that move from delicate, quiet confessional with strings to semi-classical rock anthem underscored by resonant horns.
Edgar's original songs are often very moving, literate, allusive and expressively sung - and destined to travel far beyond their Scottish genesis.
Norman Chalmers, Scotland On Sunday
butterflies and broken glass ****
Winning 2006’s Burnsong competition and being chucked into a house with established songwriters was a dream come true for Scottish singer Edgar, and she’s made that experience count on this accomplished and intimate debut slice of slick folk pop. Collaborations with Emma Pollock, Future Pilot and Chris Difford appear here, as does Karine Polwart and her band, but it’s Edgar’s own unassuming style which impresses most, from the sumptuous orchestral piano pop of ‘Cinderella Slippers’ to the stripped down folk of ‘Heavy Skies’ and the wonderfully melancholic ballad ‘Climber’. This is an impressive opening salvo from an already refined new talent.
Doug Johnstone, The List
butterflies and broken glass - album feature
By the end of 2008, there is every chance that Kim Edgar will have joined KT Tunstall, Amy Macdonald, Emma Pollock and Karine Polwart on that respected list of Scottish female singer-songwriters. . . .Burnsong collaborations form a strong foundation for the album. Not only have Polwart’s backing band stepped in as Edgar’s studio musicians, but that singer herself performs backing vocals on most of its 10 tracks. And then there are the co-writing credits with fellow Songhouse fellow Songhouse inhabitants ex-Delgado Emma Pollock, Future Pilot AKA’s Sushil K Dade and Squeeze frontman Chris Difford. That’s an impressive set of accomplices for any first-timer, but they don’t overshadow Edgar’s own talents as a lyricist and composer. . . Unlike many singer-songwriters, Edgar’s songs are not soaked in melancholy; rather, there’s a Scottish drizzle of sadness that falls over them in a mist of minor keys.
Alan Morrison, Sunday Herald
butterflies and broken glass - album feature
Kim Edgar is a young, unassuming singer/songwriter who I shall make some assumptions for. Wherever she chooses to go with her music, she will get there on her own terms,. She will remain true to herself, which is not the same thing. Everything she touches will be heartfelt and sprinkled with that infectious enthusiasm for lives lid and lives yet to be lived that is evident when you meet her. . . the use of lower case in the title is pertinent, for this is an understated and charming collection. It’s also very apt that it is release on Quietly Fantastic Records, for it is a quietly fantastic record. Like the butterflies of the title, listening to it makes you feel weightless.
Billy, The Leither
butterflies and broken glass - album review
Kim has opted to go for ten tracks thereby keeping the quality high. Production by Mattie Foulds, (Karine Polwart), has brought an elegant simplicity to the songs. The music business loves to categorise artists, however, listening to these songs leaves you with the pleasant feeling of knowing you enjoyed not knowing what was coming next...added to the mix are beautiful string or brass arrangements that lift the songs to a glorious place.
Dark songs like 'Just Outside Your Door' & 'House On The Hill' have a full rich sound. 'Heavy Skies' begins with a lovely acoustic guitar before filling out gradually with real strings drawing you into such a warm place. On 'Do You Feel Loved', penned by Chris Difford and Kim, it is both horns and viola that work the magic. Whereas on Robbie Burn's 'The Bonnie Lad' you have just a plaintive vocal and piano, a case of less is more. The powerful 'Scissors, Paper, Stone' about spousal abuse fairly bristles with menace and firelight Gypsy violin.
Kim has been audacious, following her different and unique groove, focusing on the way she wanted this album to sound. With sympathetic production she has pulled it off. Wonderful!
Graeme Scott, Leith FM, VRN1287 & Blues Matters Magazine
Some music instantly reaches you and then leaves. Some takes a few listens, hangs around your head and then you become dependent upon it. Kim Edgar’s music does exactly this. After several listens I found it was my morning elixir. . .
A mild tristesse lingers throughout without drowning in self-pity. Ironically her tunes are strangely uplifting despite the well-phrased, sombre lyrics. Screaming with potential, Edgar’s music is a comfort blanket for the disillusioned soul.
The Big Issue
Kim Edgar is a respected performer on the Edinburgh live circuit . . . a sweet voice with rhythmic guitar and piano make for rich listening, and illustrate that Kim has all the ingredients for rising above the competition and being a successful artist in a market where there is always extensive demand for such a classy singer/songwriter.
Musician
A new name, but not for long - Kim Edgar is an Edinburgh singer who is a must-see for anyone who appreciates skilled songwriting in the Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega, Everything But The Girl mould . . . Greatness assuredly awaits her.
Glasgow Evening Times
My tip for the top - don’t forget the name Kim Edgar.
Janice Forsyth, BBC Radio Scotland
Beautiful . . . her music is fantastic.
Leith FM
Kim Edgar’s brand of comfortable melancholy absorbs and soothes. This new artist knows her strength lies in her haunting, beautiful voice and she plays the line to full effect.
**** Three Weeks, Edinburgh Festival Fringe live review
Intense creative synergy [...] emanated from the group throughout a stunning two-hour show. Mostly featuring all of them onstage together, the songs made for an amazingly diverse and accomplished set, from intimate piano ballads to glorious massed vocal tapestries.
***** The Scotsman, Burnsong Songhouse live review
Singer-songwriter Kim Edgar is “an already refined new talent” emerging from Scotland right now.
Kim's eagerly anticipated debut album, butterflies and broken glass, was released in 2008 to critical acclaim, receiving extensive airplay and Album Of The Week on BBC Radio Scotland, a five star review in Scotland On Sunday, and earning Kim a place in Radio 2’s New Songwriters Academy 2008.
Produced by Mattie Foulds, the album features Karine Polwart and her band, alongside musicians including Mairi Campbell (The Cast) and Greg Lawson (Moishe’s Bagel, Mr McFall’s Chamber).
During 2006 Kim took part in a week-long ‘Burnsong Songhouse’ songwriting retreat, collaborating with a range of artists: Chris Difford (Squeeze), Emma Pollock (Delgados), King Creosote, MC Soom T, Future Pilot AKA, Michael Johnston and Karine Polwart. Subsequently, Karine performed their collaboration, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” as a duet with Paolo Nutini, and invited to Kim to record this track with her, and also to create and record piano arrangements of two Scots ballads for her traditional album, The Fairest Floo’er.
In 2008, the ‘Songhouse’ collaborators (minus Chris Difford and supplemented by Mattie Foulds on drums) undertook a TuneUp Tour of Scotland and the north of England, and formed a collective called ‘The Burns Unit’ – they will be recording an album and making their debut performance as a band in early 2009.
Kim has also supported and performed with Karine Polwart on tour in 2008, and performed at festivals including Go North (Dundee), Folk Alliance (Memphis) & Celtic Connections (Glasgow), sharing the stage with the likes of Kate Rusby, Capercaillie, Luka Bloom, Kris Drever, Emma Pollock and Julie Fowlis. Most recently Kim performed, alongside King Creosote, as a special guest of Karine Polwart at The Roundhouse, London.
A warm and engaging live performer who “positively smoulders” on stage, Kim’s songs combine compelling narratives and strong, piano-led melodies, indicative of her degree in English Language & Literature, experience as a children’s writer and her classical piano training.
Described as “strangely uplifting, despite the well-phrased, sombre lyrics” and “a comfort blanket for the disillusioned soul”, Kim’s songs capture distilled emotions, which increasingly wide audiences across the UK, and beyond, are identifying with and responding to.
See a simple video for Kim's track, Red, made by Jamie Faichney:
Kim features on Folk Rising 2, from Proper Music Distribution:
Thoroughly enjoyed your set at Nobles and am loving the CD. Hopefully catch another set again soon as you have a beautiful voice and write wonderfully poetic songs.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
RT Burns has a benefit concert at the beautiful Auditorium, Oran Mor Glasgow on the 28th July. Please help us spread the word about this very special night, tickets at £35 including buffet, can be bought here:
Beneficiaries include the Burns Heritage Park Museum under the National Trust of Scotland and Yorkhill Hospice, Glasgow.
Performers include. Chris Tait, Gari Glaysher, The Trybe,Mike Ogletree, Kevin Walsh, The Skunnered, Elidih Grant, Paul Stirling Taylor, Keith James King, with more guests to follow. Appearance by Bill Little of Scot Films UK.
Thanks for coming down on Saturday. You definitely get the Trooper of The Night award. Hope you felt better on Sunday. Your set was brilliant anyway, and everybody was raving about you after. See you soon. Cheers. Andy
I hope that everything's fine for you, I would really need to see one of your gigs soon, I hope it won't take too long before my next trip to see you :)
Pyrate Music is proud to presentMIKEY MAGIC - THE SHOVEL EP(PYRDD008) Release date May 4th 2009 After the success of his Debut single, Mikey Magic decided it was time for a change of scenery. He decided to leave Australia's Gold coast and relocate back to Edinburgh to add the finishing touches to his "Shovel EP". He gives us 4 tracks of driving bassy breaks in the style we have come to love him for. Kicking off with "Dont Ask" a track that can only be described as a monster! and continuing to shake the foundations all the way to the finale "Junk". DEBUT RELEASE from the Sharks EP (PYRDD002) May 17th 2008 - "Volume Electronic" Genre-Breaks, Highest chart ranking @ number 7 on Trackitdowns breaks chart.
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