I chatted with Katie Ware, otherwise known as Little Sparrow, this week. Following the release of her debut album 'Wishing Tree', Little Sparrow has been on the end of a surgance of praise. Introducing... Little Sparrow.
1. Who is Little Sparrow? Little Sparrow is the name that I chose about five years ago as I felt it complimented the musical style I was beginning to develop into my own at the time. My real name is Katie Ware.
2. How would you describe your sound? I think its difficult to define exactly but I see myself as a story teller and some of my songs have been described as having a 'fairy tale' quality. As a singer and as a writer I think I create music that is quite folky and accessible but at the same time often quite ethereal and I love to use lots of harmonies. 3. You've recently released your debut album's title track 'Wishing Tree', how has the response been so far to the album and to the single itself? The response to both the album and the single have been amazing and there were many lovely reviews for the album. At BBC Radio 2 Janice Long has been fantastic playing the new single several times and saying some lovely words. Chris Hawkins at BBC 6 Music has been a great supporter and I have also been played on there by Guy Garvey & Tom Robinson The support from regional radio stations such as Salford City Radio, ALLFM, Pure FM, Imagine FM, North Manchester FM, Severn FM, Brooklands Radio, Amazing Radio, Northern Quarter Radio, BBC Introducing Manchester and Merseyside & more has been overwhelming and we have even started to attract attention internationally in countries such as Canada, USA & Australia. As well as completing the long awaited video for 'Wishing Tree' I added a brand new track entitled 'Garden' to the single as a B-side which has had lots of air play and nice comments too. I'm still trying to pinch myself really to see if it's really true. 4. Where do you see yourself in five years time? I would love to be able to find the time to write a lot more, so hopefully in 5 years time this might have come true. Maybe to make my show a lot more theatrical - I would love that. More costumes.... yes! I would love to keep playing interesting venues like Union Chapel (where I appeared last Christmas) and maybe one day Manchester Cathedral - that would be ace! I'm lucky enough to be achieving a few things like this already and I am excited to be playing St Pancras Old Church in London on Friday 25th September supporting Beth Rowley, so I am looking forward to that very much. 5. What's next for Little Sparrow? I have a few nice gigs in the diary for this year but I am going to hide myself away for a couple of months soon to work on a new EP. There is no set date for release but I will let you know when I do. This will be accompanied by a series of live shows in support of its release when we are ready to roll. 6. Where can we find out/hear more from you? My website is www.littlesparrow.org All other links are here- www.twitter.com/uklittlesparrow www.youtube.com/uklittlesparrow uklittlesparrow.bandcamp.com/music soundcloud.com/uklittlesparrow