Katy J Pearson: Part Of Something Special

Katy J Pearson's journey in to music began almost before her time. Formerly she was half of pop duo, Ardyn, alongside her Brother, Bob. Although her first foray into the industry was spent "writing songs for men in suits, or trying to impress them", Katy has returned with the sublime new single 'Tonight' which is both heartfelt and melancholic in equal measure. Still touring with her brother and a fuller band, Katy now writes songs from a place of enjoyment, which is always reciprocated by her continually captivated audiences.   

We caught up with Katy during The Good Life Experience, where we spoke new records, Glastonbury and touring with Boy Azooga....

So, firstly, how has your festival experience been so far here in the Good Life?  

Yeah, it’s been beautiful, yeah, I’ve never been here, never been to this far North of Wales so yeah, it’s lovely to be here. But yeah, we came from Bristol so it’s a good like four-hour journey, but yeah, its bloody beautiful round here, so happy to be here, yeah.  

So, you’ve had a busy summer, shows with Boy Azooga, Glastonbury and of course, Visions Festival…  

Yeah, it’s been wonderful, it’s been great. All the shows so far have been really fantastic, and yeah Visions was really fun and enjoyable, two really fun shows in Bristol and London. Yeah, we played with Boy Azooga like I think it was like four days after we had all been at Glastonbury so…  

Yeah it was in Newport wasn’t it, we enjoyed it very much!  

Ah thank you very much. Ah yeah, we were all kind of still dying and both me and Davey had both completely lost our voices. So, I still managed to pull it off but yeah we were all quiet nervous because we were like ‘hey how’s it going’ he was like ‘yeah my voice is fucked too’ and I was like ‘oh no me too’. But you know it was still really fun and I had never been to Newport.  

Yeah that’s an experience in itself... 

Yeah and I didn’t realise how close it was to Bristol.

So, before you did your solo stuff you were one half of duo, Ardyn, if that’s the right pronunciation? How is it different for you going solo, writing your own stuff, and sort of taking the lead in your own career, I guess?  

Do you know what it’s been really interesting. I think it’s been a really interesting progression and I think it’s definitely given me loads of confidence, and yeah I find it really enjoyable, I think back then we were very young and it was the wrong time for us to start, but it was a great experience, I loved it. But I think doing this has given me such immense joy of doing something that I have created and pushed myself to do, and to kind of get somewhere with it has been really fulfilling.  

That’s cool! So, you have signed at heavenly records this year, joining a raft of talent. So what does it mean for you to sign with one the best labels in the country?  

It has been absolutely amazing, like before I signed Heavenly was up there and I think to have started the second project and had such support early on, then signing to my dream label has been amazing and they’re such a family, you just feel part of something special. All the artists are friends and are super supportive, which in todays age is very unusual. But to be a part of a label with a good set of core values is important and I’m really happy.  

So you’ve got a single coming out soon, are there any further plans? Any more releases this year?  

Yeah, I’m going on tour with Old and Yolk in October, they’re originally from New York, but live in L.A. now. They’re a duo but they play with a full band – they’re brilliant. Then in November I’ve got Swn Festival and then some more touring!