finetune artist: Kate Rusby

b. 1 December 1973, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. Rusby's warmth and authenticity have won her fans beyond the folk scene. Despite frequent comparisons with other young female folk musicians such as Eliza Carthy, she scorns the catch-all label of "folk babe'. Rusby's genre-defying popularity is due in great part to her distinctive clarity and maturity as a singer. Growing up in a musical family, Rusby sang and played fiddle and guitar with her sister and parents in their own ceilidh band, making her solo debut at the age of fifteen at the Holmfirth Festival. After a stint with Kathryn Roberts which produced 1995's self-titled award-winning album of duets and their brief collaboration with folk boy band the Equation, Rusby left to pursue her own direction with a commitment to keep her particular brand of music uncommercial and authentic. The result was 1997"s bestselling Hourglass, produced on her own label Pure Records, which she manages together with her parents. The album featured Rusby's own compositions, such as "A Rose In April", as well as uncluttered renditions of classics such as "As I Roved Out" and "Drowned Lovers". Mentor Dave Burland provided guest vocals.

Listen to Kate Rusby at Finetune.

(1999) Sleepless
(1998) Hourglass

The Cobblers Daughter
I Wonder What Is Keeping My True Love This Night
Sir Eglamore
A Rose In April
Our Town