We recently caught up with the brilliant Katherine Priddy for a quick chat ahead of her debut performance at Sidmouth this summer…

Congratulations on an amazing couple of years! Glasto, BBC Proms, Later with Jools and the list goes on! What have been your personal highlights?
Thank you, it’s all been a bit a blur really! I started out doing music purely for fun and with the hope that enough people liked what I do to keep playing the odd gig here and there. I certainly never thought it would become my career. So I’ve already done so much more than I had ever even considered possible, and honestly everything I do now just feels like a massive bonus. I keep waiting for the bubble to pop! Aside from the things you’ve mentioned which are definitely all big highlights, doing my first headline show at Union Chapel was an absolute dream come true for me, a huge tick off my wish list. I had a choir join me from the crowd in the last song, and I burst into tears the minute I got off stage. It was all so magical. I also wrote and released two Winter singles alongside Simon Armitage last year, and as an English Literature graduate and poet nerd, it doesn’t get much more exciting than that. It’s moments like those where I have to sit back and take stock and remind myself that I am very, very lucky to be doing what I love.

Any top tips for keeping sane on the road?
I absolutely love touring – I really enjoy the buzz I get from performing and it’s very rewarding to get to go out and meet all the people that are supporting you and your dream. So whilst there’s absolutely no getting away from how exhausting and draining touring can be, I think finding a way to remain present and soak up those things is the first key, as you need to keep some perspective and remind yourself as to why you’re doing it. Other than that – eating a good, square, healthy meal before stage time, avoiding hangovers, packing your boots and making time for daytime walks and finding a good backstage calming activity are my top tips! I taught myself to crochet, and it really helps me with nerves and anxiety, and helps me switch off when I need to. Rock and roll, I know.

Will this be your first time at Sidmouth? What have you heard about the festival?
Yes, first time! I’ve heard lots about it over the years… apparently there’s a lot of traditional dancing, and music basically takes over the whole town?! I’ve got friends who come here every year and say that it’s a big family reunion for them, so I’m looking forward to experiencing the buzz of it all and hopefully catching up with some familiar faces on the scene. That’s the nice thing about summer festivals – it’s a great opportunity to see other musicians as our touring schedules collide! I’m hoping I’ll get a chance to take a wander and discover something new. Plus, as a Brummie girl, it’s always very exciting to be by the sea.

You’re playing an evening concert at The Ham – what can people expect from your set?
Well, I’m just coming to the end of my release cycle for my last album, The Pendulum Swing, so I’ll be sure to play some songs from that, as well as some older ones and maybe a couple of fun covers thrown in. I’ll be performing as a duo alongside George Boomsma (who is also an excellent songwriter, in case you didn’t know his stuff), and he’ll be providing some beautiful harmonies and lush atmospheric electric guitar. My songs are very lyric led, with finger picked guitar and my aim is to transport people out of the ham and into my stories. Hopefully we’ll create something very dreamy for you all! If the crowd are suitably friendly and encouraging, I might even try a couple of new songs out too… we’ll see!

Have you played much in the Devon before? Any fond memories of childhood holidays etc growing up?
I actually haven’t played in Devon all that much before, other than a couple of times at Beautiful Days Festival or a show in Exeter. It’s a beautiful part of the world, and somewhere we visited on holiday when I was little. There was a farm we stayed at a couple of times, that I only know as Barbara’s Farm, and I loved it. My memories are hazy as I was very small, but I remember enjoying collecting the goose eggs out of the mud, and I was very scared of a massive pig called Buttercup. I’ve actually spent quite a bit of time in Devon this summer working on something… but that’s a story for a little further down the line!


You’ve toured with the mighty Richard Thompson who will be playing at Sidmouth this year. Is there anyone else on the Sidmouth line-up you’d recommend checking out?
Yes I’m very grateful to Richard Thompson for his support over the years! No doubt he’ll be on fine form as ever. You’ve got lots of amazing artists on the bill so I’ll try and keep my recommendations brief… but I’ve always been a fan of The Peatbog Faeries, they’re always good fun to dance to. I saw Gnoss at Orkney Folk Festival a couple of years ago and then we both ended up in Australia together the next year, so I definitely recommend getting down to their set as they’ll get you dancing. Anyone who wants to be blown away by beautiful songwriting and amazing guitar playing should definitely go and see my friend John Smith, or indeed Kris Drever who always makes me cry at some point in his set, and I’m also a big fan of Stick in the Wheel and their alternative take on traditional songs. Lots to choose from!

What’s next for you after summer festivals?
I’m heading back out on the road in October on tour with Suzanne Vega which will be amazing – she’s performing at some incredible venues around the UK including the Royal Albert Hall so that will be very exciting. I’ve also been very, very busy this year working on some new music, so I’ll be revealing all before too long…keep your eyes peeled for more on that in the coming weeks and months!

You can see Katherine in concert on Tuesday 5th August, 8pm at The Ham. Tickets available here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sidmouthfolkweekproductionsltd/1641739