Karine Polwart

Scots songwriter Karine Polwart combines the economy and universality of the folk storytelling tradition with a probing intellect and compassionate lyricism. Twice winner of "Best Original Song" at the UK-wide BBC Folk Awards.

A former children's rights worker, Karine allows images, narratives, questions and wry comic asides to do much of her work. She tries never to say too much.

She holds a Masters degree in philosophy.

Over the past few years, Karine has notched up a string of musical collaborations with alt folk balladeer King Creosote, Indo-Caledonian Future Pilot AKA, Chris Wood, Idlewild front man Roddy Woomble, bluegrass artist Tim O'Brien and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Following her debut album "Faultlines", which won Best Album at the 2005 BBC Folk Awards, and the 2006 successor "Scribbled in Chalk", Karine took time out to give birth to her son in 2007.

She then recorded two albums for release on her own micro label, hegri music.

Meantime, Polwart collaborates with friends Annie Grace (vocals, whistle) and Corrina Hewat (vocals,harp) in a vocal harmony project Grace Hewat Polwart combining traditional and original songs. She's also one eighth of new Scots-Canadian band collective The Burns Unit.