Edinburgh Tradfest: Kim Carnie

'Pure Scottish gold ... incredibly beautiful' - Robert Carlyle

Celebrated for her “velvet-voiced authority” (The Scotsman), Kim Carnie blends traditional Gaelic roots with cinematic, contemporary soundscapes. One of Scotland’s most compelling musical voices, performing with her own band, as well as the lead singer of the multi-award-winning band Mànran and a founding member of the experimental folk ensemble Staran. Kim’s voice has captivated audiences worldwide—on stage and screen alike. Her vocals feature in major film and television soundtracks, including Netflix’s Outlaw King and Black Mirror.

Renowned for her passion for cultural collaboration, Kim has worked with a diverse range of celebrated artists across the globe. These include Malian griot supergroup Trio Da Kali, GRAMMY-nominated kora players Seckou Keita and Kadialy Kouyate, Basque trio Kalakan, Creole musician Cedric Watson, and the Indonesian National Orchestra, TRUST. She has also shared the stage with folk icons such as Carlene Carter, Lindsay Lou, Joshua Burnside, while touring with the prestigious Transatlantic Sessions, led by sixteen-time GRAMMY winner Jerry Douglas.

Named Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2021, Kim is also a sought-after composer. Her original compositions have been commissioned by the Edinburgh Storytelling Centre, the Blas Festival, Piping Live, multiple gaming companies, and the 35-time award-winning documentary Kim Carnie: Out Loud, including ‘Best Song in a Film’ at the Milan Independent Awards.

Following the critical success of her debut solo album And So We Gather, produced by Donald Shaw, Kim returns with A' Chailleach—a bold new chapter in her artistic evolution.

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Image: Elly Lucas

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