Eliza Carthy

Eliza Carthy

Eliza Carthy is an English folk singer and violinist from Scarborough, United Kingdom. Born in 1975, she is the daughter of Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, both established English folk musicians. Her work sits within folk, and she is associated with English folk traditions as well as fiddle playing.

Career

In 1989, Carthy forms The Waterdaughters with her mother, her aunt Lal Waterson, and her cousin Maria Knight. She later works with Nancy Kerr and also performs with her parents in Waterson:Carthy, alongside her own solo work. She is also associated with Blue Murder, The Imagined Village, Songs of Separation, Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, The Waterdaughters, The Eliza Carthy Band, Eliza Carthy Trio, and The Sorrow Songs Band.

Awards and recognition

Carthy is nominated twice for the Mercury Music Prize for UK album of the year, first for Red Rice in 1998 and again for Anglicana in 2003. At the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2003, she wins Folk Singer of the Year, Best Album for Anglicana, and Best Traditional Track for “Worcester City”.

Collaborations

In 2004, she takes part in Oysterband’s Big Session, a collaboration involving numerous folk artists. The group releases The Big Session Volume One and receives Best Group at the Folk Awards in 2005.