"Find a Way" by Katherine Abbott
Review
Following up her magnificent "Diamonds", a song I felt took Katherine Abbott into new and very exciting artistic territory (I still can't stop playing it) was, without, always going to be a challenge.
As you'll know from what she's previously revealed, prior to her album she'll "be releasing a few songs I've written and recorded over the past 5 years or so which need to be set free like tiny birds who've been cooped up too long in files on my phone" , so having a strong store from which to select is a helpful element in this sort of process. The latest candidate for liberation is "Find a Way" which bridges the gap between her more ethereal style which characterised her early releases and the more rock approach of its immediate predecessor.
Katherine has always demonstrated steel in her music, regardless of the wispiness of vocals (in fact the dynamic between these is a key part of her talent) and her songs almost always, again despite any apparent lightness of instrumental touch, are borne along by some form of groove: generated in various ways on various tracks. This time out is no exception: again the accompaniment doesn't intrude on the vocals at all, but propels the song along zestfully with a compelling rhythm enriched a series of creative chords & changes: providing yet another classic Katherine Abbott stimulating dynamic where the sense of knowing where the song is going, driven by that groove, contends with the surprises provided by the tune itself.
Having followed her music all the way from "Lullaby For Lucas" (you can find it on ‘Hot Music Live Presents Volume Nine'), it's clear to me that Katherine spends a lot of time on top of her innate ability in crafting very subtle music in this way. However just as important (possibly more so) to her is the emotional depth of her lyrics. As they tend to the allusive, I can only speculate sometimes as to any experiences she may have had which inspired these (and frankly often feel it would be intrusive to ask her: so I never do). This is no exception, though I am pleased to report that (assuming I get this right) that this is a song of positive emotions, a "can do" philosophy which embraces the possibilities inherent in the day ahead of her: consequently she comes across as happy, which is uplifting
There is a charming video to go with "Find a Way" that tends to amplify my reading of the song and which you can find at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcxAWMg5e4
You can catch Katherine at the Cat Mead curated 'Song & Story' at Southbound in Leamington on 30th June: tickets are available via this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/song-story-tickets-1990322188243
