Who isn’t craving cuddles right now? Kim Edgar’s fifth studio album, HELD, promises to help in this regard:
“It’s hard not to be able to touch people we care about; it’s often how we embody love, compassion and friendship. We currently demonstrate care for others by keeping our distance, despite the fact that now, more than ever, people may need, or want, to be held. So with this album, I have tried to create a musical hug. In the scheme of things, it’s a very small offering, but I’m grateful that music can still give us a sense of connection - and it’s what I have to give!”
The unexpected hiatus in a usually very busy touring schedule as a member of the folk band, CARA (www.cara-music.com) has given Kim time to reflect with clarity on why she has carved a career for herself writing songs, which have been described as “heart stopping” (Sunday Herald), and “a comfort blanket for the disillusioned soul”(The Big Issue):
“I remember, vividly, the powerful sense of relief and support that I felt as an excruciatingly shy teenager when I first discovered Tori Amos, whose songs spoke directly to me. That’s why I write songs - I hope to console and uplift others in the same way.
Many of the new songs are hugs I wrote for myself, after my dad’s death, which I realised could reach out with open arms to other people, too. Things are really tough at the moment, and for many people, they were already tough before the pandemic. I hope this album will help people who are struggling just now, for whatever reason, to feel acknowledged and supported.”
Recording the album with producer Mattie Foulds was also a heartening process for Kim, despite the circumstances, with remote vocal recordings from Karine Polwart and Rachel Sermanni helping to create a sense of togetherness on several songs (including Kim’s songwriting collaboration with Karine, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”) and a combination of socially distanced and remote recordings from some of her very favourite musicians.
Released 4 December 2020
