With a voice that pours with emotion and fills a venue, Katie O’Malley and her hip-swaying Americana band have played across the UK. Hailing from Manchester and proud northerners, they describe their sound as mix of country, folk, soul & blues. Their 70’s inspired music takes you on a journey of mournful melody to punchy beats and gravelly powerful vocals with a sense of Stevie Nicks meets the blues. Together, they have received airplay from Amazing radio USA, BBC  Introducing  UK, supporting top ten album-selling Beth Rowley. 

We had a chance to chat with Katie about her latest single as part of our The Refrain Inteview series.

RMB: What’s the single about? 

‘Devil’s Got a Hold’ was written about the supernatural. It’s based on this mysterious woman that lives in the house that everyone in the town thinks is haunted and they don’t think she’ll last living there but then you realize there’s something more sinister about her. I love horror stories and films and the mystery is always the best part and I wanted to capture that feeling of mystery and the wanting to know the unknown. 

RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded?

So, I recorded it with my band in Ancoats Manchester at a studio called Pinhole it’s in a huge ex cotton mill. (Something we had a lot of but are starting to dwindle these days) The Studio is on the very top floor of the mill and you have to navigate up these very old fire escape stairs to get to it. Not the best when carrying gear! We recorded it along with a few other singles the very end of April/ beginning of May this year. My fave part was the guitarist recording the rakes on his guitar that give that creepy kind of sound!

RMB: Is it part of a larger album?

It’s part of a larger 4 track E.P that will be released in November! 

RMB: Is this your first album?

I have previously released 3 E.P’s but no full album yet to date.

RMB: Tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you start pursuing music?

I didn’t start playing guitar till I was 16. I tried before when I was around 12 to teach myself with a book and a beaten up small classical guitar my uncle had donated to me but I just couldn’t get to grips with it. I don’t think It wasn’t my style of learning! I started singing when I was around 13/14 and I kind of fell in to singing. I auditioned for the school musical as I loved performing, acting and dancing but was terrified at the thought of singing. But I pushed through my nerves and went to the audition and was very surprised when I landed the main part. From there I started singing more gaining my confidence and a couple of years later took up the guitar.

RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

​I was brought up with big soul legends playing in my house. Etta James, Aretha franklin, Otis Redding but as I grew up and started taking more notice of lyrics and musical style people like Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Ray LaMontagne took more of an influence over me.  

RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

Supporting Beth Rowley at Soup Kitchen in Manchester. I love her musical style and her voice is so beautiful and with all the success she has achieved herself it felt like a big privilege. 

RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?

70s inspired rootsy americana rock.

RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?

We’re recording a live version of the songs to be released with an extra song. Then looking to start recording an album.​

RMB: Anything we haven’t thought of that you want to talk about? Now is the time!

I’ve just put out some cool Tote bags which you can buy from my bandcamp https://katieomalley.bandcamp.com/merch/throat-chakra-bag