Katey Brooks

Bristol born singer-songwriter Katey Brooks, whose music fuses soul, folk, blues and country, is noted as a clear-eyed rebel in an industry that demands consistency. The unabashed songwriting talent has been delivering audiences with her most honest and authentic work to date. Although the wandering troubadour defies easy classification, what is certain is her ability to allow listeners to delve into her own world, through contemplative lyricism and hypnotising melodies.

Growing up inside a cult, as a child Brooks found refuge in song. "It was a very chaotic upbringing, full of some pretty colourful and sometimes unsavoury, characters. But when I sang, I felt free and connected. For as long as I can remember, it’s been my way of getting what I need to say out”, she reveals. "When I was 22 my mum got ill and she died. And then not long after that, my lifelong best friend went missing and she also died.

That’s definitely had an effect on the course of my life and my writing. I guess I’m lucky that I have songs that I can write, as a means to deal with
things”.

The highly anticipated album REVOLUTE is inspired by love, loss, learning and rebirth and is the result of needing to break out and reclaim one’s self and one’s autonomy. Brooks confides, “Completing these tracks is not only the closure of a difficult chapter for me, but the exciting beginning of something new, with my freedom finally found”. A perpetual theme throughout the 11 track release is truth. Bleeding into every song, the songstress is an advocate for being your most authentic self.

Produced by Brooks herself, mastered by Ryan Smith (Adele, Bob Dylan, Talking Heads) and mixed by Paul Quinn, she set out with the desire to
inspire others to love themselves fiercely. REVOLUTE was crafted to act as a reminder that life is too short to live with regret and negativity. Drawing comparisons from the organic instrumentation of Jeff Buckley to the abundant vocal harmonies found in The Staves and Fleet Foxes, Brooks music is simple and unpretentious - just heartfelt, honest songs.

The album features songs such as ‘All of Me’, a stunning soulful ballad
which surges with true emotion. Narrating calling someone out on their ambivalence. "It was inspired by a personal situation with someone I was prepared to give my world to. They proclaimed deep love, but then proceeded to behave in ways that were completely incongruent with that proclamation”, professes Brooks. ‘All of Me’ highlights honest lyricism, organic instrumentation and heart-wrenching melodies.

Then there is ‘In Your Arms’, a raw love song evoking the emotions of
expressing your love for someone. Sonically, the single showcases Brooks authentic musicianship, with soulful choral vocals, warm tones and ethereal soundscapes. ‘Never Gonna Let Her Go’ was the result of being shamed for her sexuality. Brooks preaches, “Judge me for my true failings, ask me to change those things that actually effect you, and I'll hear that. But one thing I'll never change, and one thing that is definitely not wrong with me is my love for women".

Brooks has found success recording with the likes of Brian May (Queen), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones) and Paloma Faith. She has played some of the world’s biggest festivals including Glastonbury, WOMAD, the 2012 Paralympics, and Australia’s National Folk Festival, as well as garnering acclaim from publications such as Billboard, Gay Times, The Advocate and The Independent. Each of these milestones have brought Brooks to the place she is today, with the confidence and freedom to showcase REVOLUTE to the world. More than ever before, the mercurial songwriter is determined to do things her own way, with REVOLUTE out now.