Hebcelt date for in-demand singer Kim

Acclaimed contemporary Gaelic singer Kim Carnie has just bought her first house, but it’s difficult to see when she will find time to be at home.

She is currently planning her debut album and will start recording later this year. She will be playing in various line-ups throughout the summer at festivals in the UK and abroad, including a first-time appearance with her own band at the multi award-winning Hebridean Celtic Festival. And, as a sought-after TV presenter, she is also continuing to film the Gaelic pop music show ‘Alt’ for the BBC.

The busy schedule is nothing new for Kim who released her debut EP in 2017, featuring some of the best names in the folk scene, and has since performed across Europe and made eight appearance at last year’s Celtic Connections, including with Niteworks, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, as part of an ensemble of Gaelic singers, and in two sold-out shows with her own band.

“I love keeping busy and I love juggling different projects”, says Kim. “Singing and TV work really complement each other and I love both equally. I’m really lucky that I’ve always got something new or exciting to look forward to.”

One of those new and exciting projects is an unusual gig in Spain which stemmed from one of Kim’s many collaborations during Celtic Connections: “Collaborating with other artists is the favourite part of my job, particularly cross-cultural collaborations.

“This year at Celtic Connections, I was involved in a few different projects, a couple of which are continuing later this year. Myself and (multi-instrumentalist) Innes White joined Basque band Kalakan for a night at Celtic Connections and we’re heading over to the Basque country this Autumn for a few dates with them there too.

“One of the gigs is in a cave. It’s so nice singing in caves, so that is definitely one of the events I’m looking forward to most this year.”

Kim has also revealed that her schedule for this year includes a follow up to her role as the voice of THQ Nordic’s ‘Black Mirror’, the first videogame to feature Gaelic song, and also the second, ‘The Bard’s Tale’.

“I’m delighted to have been a part of both, they are both great games. There is something similar in the pipeline, which will be announced in the winter.”

In the meantime, festival fans will be able to see Kim live on stage at the 24th HebCelt which will run from 17-20 July in Lewis and Harris.

“This will be the first time performing at HebCelt with my own band and we’re all looking forward to playing our songs on the Islands Stage. We’ll be playing some new material as well as songs from our recording ‘In Her Company’.”