'Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs’ – Guitarist Magazine
‘Fresh as a sweet Sunday morning’ – MOJO ★★★★
‘A fine singer-songwriter, and an excellent guitarist’ – Songlines ★★★★
‘A master-class of inspired and beautifully-sounding craftsmanship’ – KLOF
‘One of the most distinctive voices in folk music’ – Folk London
‘What Love Is is a triumph. Katie deploys her signature vocal vibrato to devastating effect’ – At The Barrier
Listen to What Love Is here: katiespencerofficial.bandcamp.com/album/what-love-is

Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through her assured guitar style and songwriting. Now, as Katie steps into this new era with a third album, her focus turns to those deeper inner spaces, inviting the listener to engage with her heartfelt and intricately-crafted songs.

Her writing, and most notably her guitar playing stem from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill, Julie Byrne and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, weave into her sound. Katie absorbs these influences into her songwriting and with her distinctive deep vibrato and crystal-clear guitar style, she makes the music inimitably her own.

Katie released her third album What Love Is in October 2025; an intimate collection of ten brand-new songs produced by Matt Ingram (Laura Marling, The Staves). It reached #12 in the Official Folk Albums Chart upon release. Recorded in London’s Urchin Studios and featuring prominent players Giacomo Smith (clarinet), Max Clilverd (pedal steel), Tom Mason (double bass) and Matt Ingram (drums, synth). What Love Is evokes the spirit of Joni Mitchell’s finest later works, always honouring without emulating. Lyrically mature and at times pastoral; the album is melodically sophisticated and unflinchingly honest. She moves effortlessly from wide-open jazz-tinged soundscapes, influenced by Pharoah Sanders and John Abercrombie, through to the folk-baroque finger-picking style that her fans admire her for. Her singing is powerful yet warm, true and pristine in delivery. The musicianship throughout the record feels liberated by Katie’s innovation and confidence, and the result is a master-class of inspired and beautiful-sounding craftmanship.

‘... a world-class folk guitarist’ – fRoots

'Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces tapestries of song.' – Ralph McTell

Katie has toured extensively and is a powerful and confident presence on stage, delivering her finely-tuned music with humour and insight. It is often said that Katie draws audiences into her mesmerising and musically articulate world with gentle affection and care. Her impressive live touring schedule is testament to this, and has seen her headline some of the most prestigious venues in the UK, including St Pancras Old Church and The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, and perform at many respected major folk festivals such as the world- renowned Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival. Her live history also features many overseas adventures including extensive tours in Europe and Australia (including Port Fairy Folk Festival). Last year Katie continued to tour widely in the UK and Europe, and was also invited to represent Britain and perform at the prestigious Folk Alliance International in Montreal, Canada. She recently became the owner and endorsee of a custom-built signature guitar, specially crafted for her by distinguished luthier Tom Sands and is looking forward to taking this beautiful instrument out on the road in 2026.

Her debut album Weather Beaten (2019) was praised for its “unique song-craft, spell-binding musicianship and crystal sonic clarity,” as she brought together fans of music from all backgrounds and walks of life. This was followed by The Edge of the Land (2022), which reached #14 in the Official Folk Charts upon release. This record also features Tom Mason on double bass, with additional percussion and piano provided by Arran Ahmun and Spencer Cozens, musicians who developed their craft in the John Martyn band.



katiespencer.net
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twitter.com/KRSpencerMusic
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