Pool Of Sound - Delta Maid

Katie Foulkes aka Delta Maid

 

Katie Foulkes was a Biology graduate from Wavertree but this singer-songwriter, aka Delta Maid, has channelled a variety of blues artists which has taken her on a whirlwind journey from hospital trainee, who had abandoned her vascular science degree at Lancaster University in order to pursue a music career in 2008, to major label starlet in the space of three short years. She only played her first live gig in 2008, just as her song writing skills began to flourish.

Her love of the American roots music began when as a child she listened mainly to country and modern blues included in her parents' record collection, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, and BB King. However, her own personal musical discovery was kick started by a copy of country blues queen Rory Block's 'Best Blues and Originals' which her parents bought back with them after a trip to New York. Listening to the record non-stop for two weeks during a holiday in Ireland, the 13 year old's ears had been opened to early blues and there was no turning back.

Katie had piano lessons when she was young, but as she hated practicing, her mother said she would stop paying for them. Instead, she learned songs that she picked up from the radio and began learning the guitar at around 17 or 18 when she was into bands like 'The Verve', 'Red Hot Chilli Peppers' and female singer-songwriters like Lauryn Hill and Alanis Morrisette. According to Katie, "my brother plays about ten times better than I do so he plays with me on stage as well. The turning point for me was the charity gig that my Mum put on at The Picket." Katie explains, "It was the first live event she'd ever done and she asked me to go on first to open up. I'd never played live before but I’d always sung at family parties and things, so I took some persuading! But I went on with my brother and played some blues covers, and I couldn't believe how much I loved it." After this baptism of fire she was encouraged by friends and family to record some songs and put them on Myspace, which she reluctantly agreed to. Within a matter of months she had been contacted by a publishing company expressing an interest and wanting to see her play live, and that's when the whirlwind really began. In May 2013 the Liverpool Echo published, 'Delta Maid plays the Zanzibar on August 5th. Every now and again, a musician comes along that gets the industry talking. Bright, bold, and essentially different, they stand apart from their contemporaries, with a sound all of their own. Delta Maid is that musician. The 25-year-old from Wavertree is taking the music world by storm.'

 

Although tipped for stardom after receiving stellar reviews for her 2011 debut LP, 'Outside Looking In', recorded in Parr Street Studios and released through Geffen Records in 2011, she then suddenly disappeared from the spotlight. It was an album of luscious, radio-friendly country, blues and Americana, and seemed poised to replicate her success across the pond when she relocated to Nashville. One of her songs, 'Tornado', had even topped the American country charts and earned her a prestigious BMI Award. However Katie seemed to vanish from the spotlight, and her social media accounts for several years were curiously devoid of news updates. 

In a recent press statement, she's spoken about being disillusioned with the industry, feeling both restricted and suffocated by the demands placed upon her. Previously signed to the major label Geffen Records, she admits to feeling a certain 'bitterness' at the way she was treated by the music business.

January 2020 saw the release of the single 'Better Love'. This being her first record in years, many have been anticipating what her return will bring. 'Better Love' showed an artist reborn, with a renewed appreciation for her own musical gifts.
Her 'Pinned Tweet' dated June 5th 2020 stated, " It's out folks… 'Katie' by Delta Maid available on all major digital platforms. Limited Vinyl (link in bio) I will look forward to a time when I can perform these songs live for you, but until then, I hope you enjoy it. With love, Katie – Delta Maid ". Her latest album 'Static Feels' was released on the 9th of April 2021.

see also:- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2021/08/pool-of-sound-hushtones.html?q=King+Hannah