The Station Sessions Festival is a six week long celebration of the UK’s emerging musical talent. In proud support of Prince’s Trust Music, the festival will run from the 15th of June to the 29th of July and will feature some of the most talked about emerging artists spanning genres from pop, rock and blues to classical and soul.

Details about Katy Carr….
Katy Carr is a London based performer and songwriter who sings, plays a vintage, wurlitzer electronic piano, ukulele and banjolele with her group ‘The Aviators.’ She has self released three albums on her label Deluce Recordings. ‘Screwing Lies,’ 2001 and ‘Passion Play’ 2003 and ‘Coquette’ 2009 which has received no less than 4/5 star reviews in the mainstream and music press during with a 5/5 star review from Music Critic, ‘Quite simply a masterpiece’.
Katy’s music is inspired by themes, stories and characters from 1940s Britain, France and Poland. Boasting a wide variety of performances from The Royal Opera House to Glastonbury music festival together with regular appearances on BBC radio, this eccentric and eclectic performer delivers her self -penned folk songs, with verve and humour. After writing \’Kommander\’s Car\’ a song about a Polish Boy Scout, Kazik Piechowski\’s last 80m of his escape from Auschwitz concentration camp in 1942, Katy also produced a short documentary film called \’Kazik and the Kommander\’s Car,\’ directed by Hannah Lovell. Due to her current \’The Escapologist Tour\’ 2011 funded by Arts Council England music tour Kazik now 91, visited Britain for the first time in March 2011 for a series of special events which not only aroused national press coverage but also a slot on Radio 4\’s Today show.
Station Sessions

INTERVIEW FOR JACK BOOTH  July 2011

Q – Okay, firstly, tell us a bit about you and the band, what you’re about, your inspirations…basically a summary of you.

My name is Katy Carr, I am a singer, performer and songwriter. I play the ukulele and piano amongst a selection of keyboards. My group is called ‘Katy Carr and the Aviators.’ We are currently a trio but have had up to 16 members. Having released three albums on my own label called Deluce Recordings since 2001, my recent album ‘Coquette’ 2009 procured no less than 4 out of 5 star reviews in the mainstream music press here in the UK.

Q How and when did you know you wanted to sing and when was the band formed?

‘Katy Carr and the Aviators,’ was formed in 2009 for the International Memphis Folk Alliance music conference. We had been awarded a PRSF Performance Rights Society Foundation grant to play our music for the first time in the USA and we needed to create a group to do so. Previous to that I was a solo artist performing gigs with session musicians. I knew that I wanted to be a singer when I was 6 years old having won several singing competitions in my then local area, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands.

Q What are your inspirations?

I am hugely inspired by history especially events of World War 2 and the 1930s and 1940s. In fact on my last album I wrote a song called ‘Kommander’s Car’ about Polish boy Scout Kazimierz ‘Kazik’ Piechowski’s daring escape from Auschwitz concentration camp in June 1942. This year I was awarded an Arts Council England grant and was able to not only to bring Kazik to Britain for the first time but also tour my music with my group the Aviators  in‘The Escapologist Tour. ’ Through the creation of a 23minute documentary entitled ‘Kazik and the Kommander’s Car’ dir by Hannah Lovell – where I present Kazik with my song, ‘Kommander’s  Car ’ we were able to share his story with the British Public.

Q Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

I firstly trust that I am strong and healthy and still making music! In addition I would like to have lived somewhere other than the UK and have always had a dream of living in America. I love Chicago due to it being the second largest city with regards residents of Polish decendence  and also the southern states such as Georgia.  So I hope that after the next subsequent albums that I want to make here in the UK in the next 3 to 4 years I trust I have had the opportunity to live in the United States for a while.

Q What would you be doing if you weren’t making music?

I would probably have entered the Royal Air Force as a pilot. It was only after going to art school and doing a music degree at university did I decide to opt out of a military life. Prior to university I had achieved a RAF flying scholarship where I learnt to fly RAF military airplanes. However discovering a love for music composing and songwriting I turned my aspirations to a more creative and civilian  lifestyle.

Q Who are your musical influences?

I have varied musical inspirations. However my main passions lie with listening to British and Polish folk music as well as listening to Classical music in particular that of Mozart.

Q Other than music, is there any other artistic/creative way you express yourself?

I like to dance all night long to drum and bass music as well as to my favourite DJs including DJ Nick Luscombe who plays left field electronica and DJ Chris Tofu who is hugely inspired by gypsy and electro swing. I also love to tap dance and lindy-hop.

Q What is one thing that would surprise people about you?

Most people assume that I have come from Irish decent – which is probably true due to my name – Carr however I am half Polish and very proud to be connected with Poland or Polska which is such a beautiful and artistically diverse country.

Q What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Creative, musical and determined.

Q Do you have any gigs/festivals lined up for this year?

Yes, having just finished my ‘Escapologist tour’ funded by the Arts Council England but I am also supporting the Great British Barbershop Boys on their UK 2011 tour. I am also playing at various other summer festivals and events. For more info check out www.katycarr.com

Katy Carr’s Concerts

JUNE

Jun 22^nd ‘The Escapologist Tour’ at Exeter Fringe Festival, Exeter, Devon

Jun 23, ‘The Escapologist Tour’ at Exeter Fringe Festival, Exeter, Devon

JULY

Jul 2, POSK , Hammersmith

Jul 3, Katy Carr supports the Great British Barbershop Boys in Stockport

Jul 4 Katy Carr supports the Great British Barbershop Boys in Stevenage

Jul 15, Katy Carr and the Aviators perform at Arteria, Polish Festival

Jul 25, 2011 Katy Carr performs at Deadline Festival, Kings Cross, London

AUGUST

Aug 5^th : KATY CARR performs at BIG CHILL Festival

Aug 13, Katy Carr supports to the Great British Barbershop Boys, Porthcawl, UK

Aug 14, Katy Carr and the Aviators perform at The Wilderness Festival, Oxfordshire

THANKYOU FOR THIS INTERVIEW KATY AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MUSIC!

1pm – 1.45pm – Katy’s first gig is located at  Whittington Park Holloway Road Holloway, London N19 4DQ

6pm – Escapologist tour gig at  The Florin Pub, London. Address. Address. 563 Holloway Road London N19 4DQ – Film Screening of Kazik and the Kommander’s Car and set from Katy Carr – on keyboard and ukulele see below

Holloway Arts Festival survives the cuts – popular event set for 8-17 June

by AMY SMITH

KATY Carr (pictured), who sings songs from the 1940s, is among top artists appearing at the popular Holloway Arts Festival in June, writes Amy Smith.

Islington poet John Hegley will also star in the event and a new street festival is being held for the first time with craft workshops, film screenings, dance performances, a cake bake-off and a shadow puppet show.

Organisers Rowan Arts have managed to raise funds for the ninth annual event which attracts people from all over London, despite struggling against cuts to their own funding.

There will also be a screening of the acclaimed documen­tary Kazik and The Kommander’s Car that chronicles the true story of Polish

boy scout, Kazimierz Piechowski, who made a daring escape from Auschwitz in 1942.

The now famous Connecting Conversations series will encourage well-known names from the arts to open up about their creative process in two public discussions with renowned psychoanalysts.

The festival will include a singer-songwriter competition for upcoming musicians to battle it out for the first prize, winning recording sessions, a photo-shoot and further performance opportunities.

Last year’s winner, Ellie Rowsell, has since formed band Wolf Alice, who tour nationally and will also  be playing this year’s festival.

Ruth Robinson, coordinator of Rowan Arts, said: “Despite the huge economic challenges faced in the last year, the continued success of the Holloway Arts Festival demonstrates how much the local community value it.”

Connecting Conversations  events include:

• Composer, Librettist and Director of the ENO’s new Opera Two Boys interviewed by psychotherapist Friday June 10, at TBC, 7.30-9pm.

• Dancer Jasmin Vardimon: Thursday  June 16, venue TBC.

Other events:

• The Jazzberries: Wednesday June 8, Nambucca, 596 Holloway Rd, N7, 8.30pm till late.

• Mayton Street Festival: Saturday June 11, Mayton Street, 1-5pm, free.

• Big Day Out at Whittington Park: Sunday, June 12, 1-5pm, free.

• Katy Carr and the Aviators, June 12, at the Floirin pub and Claudia Georgette, 6pm to 11pm.

• Poets in the Pub: Monday, June 13, North Nineteen, 194-196 Sussex Way, N19, 7.30-9pm.

• Comedy Night with Kat Francois, Matt Welcome and Paul Lyalls: Friday, June 17, The Floirin Pub, 563 Holloway Road, N19,  8.30-11.00pm.

Visit www.hollowayartsfestival.co.uk and www.connectingconversations.org

Published: 22 April 2011

see you there !!! address 7.30pm Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 6DS

Post: Astor Community Theatre, Stanhope Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 6AB

Telephone: 01304 370220 | Email: info@theastor.org

Thursday 19th May, 7.30pm
‘The Escapologist Tour,’ is dedicated to the honour of Kazimierz ‘Kazik’ Piechowski, a Polish Scout who in June 1942 escaped from Auschwitz concentration camp in a Steyr 220 car. Events include musical performances from Katy Carr and The Aviators & a 25 min documentary screening  of Kazik and the Kommander’s Car directed by Hannah Lovell & produced by Katy Carr, where Katy first presents Kazik with her tribute song, ‘Kommander’s Car’.

Entry by donation

DIRECT LINK TO EVENT ON FACEBOOK

http://www.facebook.com/KatyCarr1940#!/event.php?eid=150419941690365

We had a really lovely email from a member of the  audience called Simone and we wanted to share it with you x x x kc please read below

Rich Mix Cultural FoundationRich Mix Cultural Foundation

35-47 Bethnal Green Road
City of London, Greater London E1 6LA
020 7613 7498

Mainstream music can often see the industry over run with extremely commercial content, which doesn’t resemble anything near deep and meaningful lyrics. However, with small events, and even the big international festivals endorsing small and upcoming artists, the summer season is a particularly good chance to discover some amazing new artists. One of these talented young individuals is Katy Carr. A quirky style, and a gorgeous raw tone will make you want to listen to her music over and over. I caught up with Katy to find out more.

Enjoy!

What was your motivation for beginning in the music industry?

I really wanted to make great music with great musicians. It was that simple!

What has been your best and worst experience so far since you have been an established musician and singer?

I regard every experience I have within the music business with regards to either performing, creating, or promoting music as an absolute privilege. Like in any profession one has to face certain challenges that can at times require alot of mental and physical strength. I run my own business, so in some ways it can be exciting to push into areas that you have never developed before. Recently for instance I entered the film industry for the first time and produced a 25 minute short documentary entitled; ‘Kazik and the Kommander’s Car.’ The subject matter was very intense as it centred around the background story for a song I had written called ‘Kommander’s Car.’ My song was inspired by a Polish scout’s story from 1942, Kazimierz Piechowski now 92, who made an incredible and daring escape from the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in the Kommander’s Car.

What would you recommend someone NOT to do if they aspire to a career in the music industry?

I would say stay true to who you are and never let anyone push you into something that you don’t want to do. It’s your life and like the phrase in Shakespeare’s; As You Like It play written in 1600 says, ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.’

Where is your favourite place to perform and why?

I love London Town simply because in it’s vastness one can still stay anonymous aswell as experience the best that culture has to offer in terms of the best music venues, art galleries, historical research centres, and most importantly meet a cosmopolitan mix of people.

How do you stay grounded?

I keep my friends and those I love close to me, aswell as having strong links to magic, nature and exercise.

What is the one quote that inspires you every day?

“To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates

What is your definition of success, and how do you know when you have achieved it?

I think that the notion of success is very subjective. When I make a musical composition be it a song, performance, album, the process for me is more important that the finished product. I like to know that I have made people smile and I have helped them in their lives in someway. If I end my days on this planet and have left a legacy of people that know and love me greatly then I will consider myself to be successful.

Where do you see yourself in one year time?

I see myself playing lots of concerts and creating more and more music with my beautiful musicians. In addition I will be officially releasing our short film, Kazik and the Kommander’s Car,’ on the 70th anniversary of Kazik’s escape 20th June 2012 as well as my next album entitled,’Paszport,’ and a book of creative responses to Kazimierz Piechowski’s escape story entitled ‘Kazik Kollectiv.’

You can see KatyCarr and The Aviators play on the 13th May at Bethnal Green, as part of their ‘Escapologist Tour’. Make sure to show!

Find out more at http://katycarr.com/ .

Return to Alice in Londonland soon.

DIRECT LINK  http://www.northantstouringarts.co.uk/whats_on/show/escapologist

‘The Escapologist Tour‘ 29th March – 2nd July 2011

‘The Escapologist Tour,’ is dedicated to the honour of Kazimierz ‘Kazik’ Piechowski, a Polish Scout who in June 1942 escaped from Auschwitz concentration camp in a Steyr 220 car. Events include musical performances from Katy Carr and The Aviators & a 25 min documentary screening  of Kazik and the Kommander’s Car directed by Hannah Lovell & produced by Katy Carr, where Katy first presents Kazik with her tribute song, ‘Kommander’s Car’.

APRIL 2011

Saturday 2nd April [Escapologist]

2: 30pm Katy Carr and the Aviators play North Bradley Peace Memorial Hall, Southwick Rd, North Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0SH

FRIDAY 17th DECEMBER 7-11.30pm – The Homerton Folk, Blues and Arts Festival – £5

Core Arts, 1 St Barnabas Terrace, London E9 6DJ

train: Homerton (London Overground) • buses: 236 / 242 / 276 / 394 / W15

6-11.30pm • PRICE £5 – FREE TO MEMBERS • tel: 020 8533 3500

HOMERTON FOLK BLUES AND ARTS FESTIVAL
STARRING JAMES HUNTER • THE ARLENES •
DAVE SUTHERLAND • KATY CARR AND THE AVIATORS • ALAN TYLER •
ANGE BOXALL • ANDY HANKDOG • CRAIG SHAW • THE DUBLO
AND A HOST OF NAMES FROM CORE SOUNDS inc. NU2RAL •
BERNIE • FRANK BANGAY • THE MAGICIAN
COMPERED BY BIG STEVE