CityLife

Gig of the week: Kin EP Launch

Kin Foster

WHERE most musicians struggle to find a new direction, Kin Foster seems to have made that task her entire means of operation.

Since moving to Manchester a few years ago, the German-born songwriter has dabbled fruitfully in most areas of Manc music’s leftfield world: from her time as a folktronica artist to success in the avant-garde outfit Peterloo Massacre, and now, finally, as a solo artist under the name Kin.

The magic of her latest venture owes much to a fine balancing act, Kin live shows are extreme demonstrations of volume, switching from hear-a-pin-drop intensity to punky squalls of noise, while Kin’s vocals are just as stunningly acrobatic.

Better still, this magic translates successfully to record, as shown by her debut EP Dot Dot Dot released this week, featuring five tracks of songwriting brilliance which owe much to the electronic adventure of Kid A-era Radiohead and early PJ Harvey’s feral punkiness.

Kin and her three-piece band launch that EP with a special gig at The Kings Arms this weekend, joined by a stellar supporting cast including Charlie Barnes and Borland.

November 28, 2009. Kings Arms, Salford. £5.