KATE WALSH - JUNE LAST YEAR (BalconyTV) video free download

Kate Walsh plays the song 'June Last Year' for BalconyTV Dublin

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http://BalconyTV.com/dublin 22/09/2009

KATE WALSH - JUNE LAST YEAR

PRESENTED BY TOM MILLETT

Calling Kate Walsh a singer songwriter is like saying Van Gogh was a cartoonist. Kate is, er, different. A 26-year-old from a sailing town in Essex whos been likened to Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush and Jane Austen, shes ferociously independentin every sense. She adores Debussy, studies cello, listens constantly to Classic FM (and little else), bemoans the demise of vinyl and CDs (she finally got an iPod when iTunes gave her one after her last album Tims House knocked Take That off the top of the download chart but rarely uses it), is entertainingly scathing about the conventional music industry (its fickle, selfish, impersonal and backstabbing) and has established her own cottage industry to do it her way. And when she sits down to write a song youd better lock up your hearts for you instantly become Kates close personal confidante as she bares her soul with shocking candour.

You almost believe her. Shes currently single, lives in Brighton, though stupid men, do still run amok on her beautiful third album Light and Dark (yes, I do have a light and dark side we all do, dont we?) The title track is particularly poignant, a guilt-ridden reverie on a love triangle that opens enticinglyI left you for another man and he doesnt deserve me

Its the saddest song Ive ever written. Its about two men and they both heard it independently and knew it was about them, she grimaces. There was a lot of troubleit was awful going through it, but its a great song! I think its one of my best songs ever. One of the first times she sang it in public at Londons Union Chapel it upset her so much she barely made it to the end. It happens. When youre singing it makes all the sentiments so real again. I sing mainly with my eyes shut and I feel every word. I try to make an instrument of my voice, like playing a wonderful, emotive piano piece, lilting on certain words and phrases

Listening to the very real pain and fragility of her music you imagine the author must be a quivering wreck permanently teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Far from it chattering away ten to the dozen like shes known you all her life, Kate Walsh is warm, funny and likeably self-deprecating, fully recognising the self-indulgent nature of the confessional songwriters art. Nooooo, I dont think Ive had a terrible life at all, she giggles. I just mope and wallow more than anyone else. Maybe a part of me deliberately creates havoc so Ive got something to write about we like a bit of mayhem us songwriters. But now Im changing all that and other things are becoming more important to me than some man whos done the dirty on me. Im not giving stupid men the time of day any more.

She insists shes not ambitious for fame or glory, but is immensely proud of the bigger sounds that characterise Light & Dark. And, now writing songs on piano rather than guitar, insists that stupid men will no longer be tolerated in her songs or personal life. For the first time, I feel happy about myself. Do you know what? I think Im growing up

www.katewalsh.co.uk

Tune in again tomorrow!!!