Karine Polwart

Former Malinky front person, Karine Polwart, played last year on the back of the release of her debut solo album, Faultlines. This year sees her returning on the back of an arm full of BBC Folk Awards

The album got best album, The Sun's Coming Over The Hill, gained best original song and she picked up the Horizon Award to boot. All said and done, that's not a bad year's work by anyone's standard.

Karine's a songwriter of no mean talent. A background in social work has given Karine a wealth of experience to draw on, often giving her songs a politicised edge, that belies the gentleness in the delivery.

This year has seen Karine as guest presenter of BBC Scotland's Travelling Folk, as well as doing a fair bit of travelling herself including the likes of Armenia.

It's a long way from Sterlingshire to Cambridge, but Karine has managed the journey with aplomb and no small amount of hard graft.

POST FESTIVAL VERDICT

I managed to miss both of Karine's stage appearances, but did catch her highly informative and useful workshop in the Club Tent. Karine is blessed with a fantastic voice and a boyant personality. I also caught Karine's appearance as part of the Brian McNeill session and it was a remarkable vocal piece that Karine performed in conjunction with a couple of members of Unusual Suspects. Karine also found time to record an interview for the website and this can be found in the features section.

Karine Polwart Galley 2, Gallery 4,