Katie Nicholas Teases A New Era With Single ‘The Wheel’
Ormskirk born folk singer Katie Nicholas is set for her first release of the year, The Wheel (out on 8 August). The single is a soft and cathartic ballad featuring enchanting guitar-playing and poetic lyricism, subtly encompassed by the gentle sounds of strings and piano.
The single was recorded as part of the Arts Council England x Actual Music’s artist programme which celebrates ascending talent based in the North of England.
The Wheel was inspired by the trials and tribulations of trying to make a doomed relationship work; “At the core, there is a destructive and unstable force that keeps the both parties together yet forever in flux”.
Although there is much anticipation for this new era, the journey taken to get to this stage in her career was not an easy one, as 2023 was a rollercoaster year for Nicholas. After the release of her long awaited EP Feather, her world was suddenly turned upside down after the sudden loss of her mother.
Since taking time away from music to grieve and rebuild, The Poet singer is now ready to return to doing what she does best, embracing her new-found independence, and as a metaphoric middle-finger to those in the industry who doubted her, Katie released The Songwriting Diaries. Taking inspiration from the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the video series (available on her Youtube Channel) features over 50 songs written by the singer from as early as 12 years of age.
Despite several industry pushbacks, Nicholas received recognition and support from BBC Introducing’s William Walthamstow, BBC radio Scotland’s Annie Massie and supported folk americana artists Boo Hewerdine, Robert Vincent and Martha Tilston on the National tours. One moment, however, that will live long in her memory is selling out her first headline show at The Liverpool Philharmonic, where she was accompanied by a string quartet.
The Wheel is set to be the first single of 2024 for the Merseyside singer and its release will be celebrated on Friday 9 August at Yamaha Cafe & Bar in Liverpool (entry is free).
As easy as it could have been for her to step away from music after suffering an agonising bereavement and discouraging industry push-backs, Katie Nicholas is an example to all independent artists or those in the industry at any stage of their careers who may be battling personal demons, to never give up.
2025 is set up to be an exciting year for Katie as her sophomore EP and new album featuring Americana UK instrumentalists Robert Vincent, Anna Corcoran and Chris Hillman are set to be released along with a headline UK tour on the cards.
Pre-save The Wheel here.
Follow Katie Nicholas on Instagram at @itskatienicholas for updates.
Megan Bradley
