Erin K is a difficult artist to pin down. Flying between America and The UK, Erin has enjoyed huge success in Italy, where she spends most of her time either touring or running a children’s camp for children with haemophilia. Her life today, in the wake of musical acclaim in Italy, is a world away from when she nervously started experimenting with insightful and playful compositions at open mic nights in London.
No sooner had she started showcasing her autobiographical tales than she had risen through the ranks as one of London’s most talked about artists on the anti-folk scene. Having headlined shows at Union Chapel and Bush Hall, she then took her live shows to the next level with a performance at The London Olympics and Paralympics. With NME proclaiming her ‘a filthy-mouthed indie darling’ and The Guardian labelling her ‘an R-rated Pam Ayres for Generation Y’, Erin is excited for a return to her adopted home and showcase her latest compositions. Having spent the summer working on her first ever collaborative collection, which saw her team up with The Zen Circus’ Andrea Appino, she is now ready to reveal the record that resulted from enlisting her producer friend’s assistance. The result is her debut album “Little Torch”. Instantly, fans will be struck by the NSFW track names that include “I Just Ate Shit” and “Assholio”. But alternative choice of track names only scratches the surface of the dry-witted genius of this album and of anti-folk generally. A tale of two halves in many respects, as the first few tracks such as “No Control” and “Pay To Play” draw on traditional folk elements, lulling you into a false sense of security of a playful folk album. The second half, however includes darker, lyrically obscure pieces that really drive home the individuality of Erin as an artist. It’s Lily Allen or Kate Nash, with a hidden, darker agenda. One of the standout tracks is the stunningly affecting “Couldn’t”. It’s an ethereal mesh of acoustic & electric guitars beautifully complementing Erin’s distinctive, melancholy top-line. The visual is a stunning one-take, directed by Justin Davey. On the video Erin states, ‘I love the element of chance that is intrinsic to a one-take video shoot. In this moment we added even more pressure, shooting in the moments as the sun came up over the ocean in Miami. This song was the last thing I wrote at the end of a relationship. I'm saying goodbye and that I "couldn't" have done more, but also that it "couldn't" have been any more beautiful in the precious moments we experienced together.'