Kristy Gallacher

Kristy Gallacher

Kristy Gallacher is a Coventry-based guitarist, poet and songwriter who has been active since 2008. She works in an independent DIY model, running her own label, Broken Player Records, and releasing all of her subsequent material through it after signing herself.

Music and releases

Gallacher performs as a solo artist and writes prolifically, working in an acoustic style with original songs and guitar-led arrangements. Her debut album, Emotional Gun, appears in 2008, and its title track is selected for the British Library Project recognising significant new music. She follows it with a second full album, Spinning Plates, and also issues a first live CD in 2009, recorded by Nova Music at the Troubadour in Earls Court, London.

Live work and collaborations

She tours regularly on the UK acoustic circuit and develops a reputation for carefully crafted songs and guitar work. In support slots, she appears with Ed Sheeran, Michael Chapman, Scott Matthews, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, Mr Big, John Bramwell of I Am Kloot, Miles and Erica of the Wonderstuff, Mark Morriss of the Bluetones and Nerina Pallot.

Recognition and training

In May 2010, Gallacher wins the LG Arena singer/songwriter competition and performs before Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and John Mayer on separate nights at the venue in Birmingham. She is later invited back to the LG Arena Forum Live to play before Paul Weller. She also has formal musical training, with a degree in Music Composition from Coventry University.

Style

Her songs are described through a blend of finger-picked guitar, fragile but defiant vocals, and poetic writing. The available descriptions place her alongside singer-songwriters such as KT Tunstall and Suzanne Vega, while also noting a strong live presence and an individual style.