Katy Kirby

File:Katy Kirby (51485875582).jpg

Kathryn Ellison Kirby{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/907120374 |title=EYELIDS |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=November 11, 2023}} is a Nashville, Tennessee based American musician and singer-songwriter from Spicewood, Texas.

Early life

Kirby grew up as an evangelical Christian{{cite news |last1=Mongredien |first1=Phil |title=One to watch: Katy Kirby |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/27/one-to-watch-katy-kirby-cool-dry-place |work=The Guardian |date=27 February 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021}} in Spicewood, Texas,{{cite web |last1=Baines |first1=Huw |title=Introducing… Katy Kirby, the Texan songwriter approaching indie-rock with a clean slate |url=https://guitar.com/features/interviews/introducing-katy-kirby-cool-dry-place/ |publisher=Guitar |access-date=20 April 2021}} where she was homeschooled and listened primarily to worship music. She attended college at Belmont University, where she majored in English.

Career

Kirby began releasing music in 2018, with the EP Juniper.{{cite web |last1=Pappis |first1=Konstantinos |title=Artist Spotlight: Katy Kirby |date=17 February 2021 |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2021/02/17/artist-spotlight-katy-kirby/ |publisher=Our Culture Mag |access-date=20 April 2021}} In May 2020, she shared a new recorded version of her song "Tap Twice".{{cite web |last1=Rettig |first1=James |title=Katy Kirby – "Tap Twice" |date=26 May 2020 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2085724/katy-kirby-tap-twice/music/ |publisher=Stereogum |access-date=20 April 2021}}

In late 2020, she announced plans to release her debut album and, along with the announcement, released the single "Traffic!" The album, Cool Dry Place, came out on February 19, 2021,{{cite web |last1=Graves |first1=Wren |title=Katy Kirby Announces Debut Album Cool Dry Place, Shares "Traffic!": Stream |date=19 November 2020 |url=https://consequence.net/2020/11/katy-kirby-debut-album-cool-dry-place/ |publisher=Consequence of Sound |access-date=20 April 2021}} and became Stereogum's "Album of the Week".{{cite web |last1=Rettig |first1=James |title=Album Of The Week: Katy Kirby Cool Dry Place |date=16 February 2021 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2115947/katy-kirby-cool-dry-place-review/reviews/album-of-the-week/ |publisher=Stereogum |access-date=20 April 2021}} The album would eventually be included in a number of yearend best-albums-of-2021 lists,{{Cite web|title=Katy Kirby - Cool Dry Place|url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/304225-katy-kirby-cool-dry-place.php|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Album of The Year|language=en-US}} including those by Paste,{{Cite web|author=Paste Staff|date=2021-11-22|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2021|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/best-albums-of-2021/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=pastemagazine.com|language=en}} Our Culture Mag,{{Cite web|date=2021-12-09|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2021|url=https://ourculturemag.com/2021/12/09/the-50-best-albums-of-2021/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Our Culture|language=en-GB}} and Consequence of Sound.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-07|title=Top 50 Albums of 2021|url=https://consequence.net/2021/12/top-50-albums-2021-list/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Consequence|language=en-US}}

In 2023, Kirby signed to ANTI- Records and announced her sophomore album, Blue Raspberry, released January 2024. Following this, she embarked on an American and European tour in support of the album. {{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=2023-10-24 |title=Katy Kirby Announces Album and Tour, Shares Video for New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/katy-kirby-announces-album-and-tour-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} In August, Kirby was featured on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series. {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ7E1c2ykeM |title=Katy Kirby: Tiny Desk Concert |date=2024-08-26 |last=NPR Music |access-date=2024-09-01 |via=YouTube}}

Artistry

According to Marcy Donelson of AllMusic, Kirby's "perceptive lyrics are spun through warm, articulate vocals and an adult-alternative style."{{Cite web |title=Katy Kirby Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More ... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/katy-kirby-mn0003827947 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}

Personal life

Kirby currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Kirby is openly queer.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=2023-08-29 |title=Katy Kirby's 'Cubic Zirconia' Is Entrancing {{!}} News |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/katy-kirbys-cubic-zirconia-is-entrancing/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |language=en-GB}}