“Life is happier and healthier now and I’m delighted to have finished these songs and to release them into the world.”

Facing The Falling Sky – the first new album from Kathie Touin in 10 years –was launched on Friday night 1st of November in the aptly atmospheric Orkney Brewery, Quoyloo.

The 14 track CD (1 bonus making it 15) is just the answer to the dreich winter weather bringing into your home a warmth and seasonal feel.

Kathie, a Californian who lives in Orkney, battled illness and loss during the making of the album. Its title reflects the courage Kathie found in facing up to trials, even when it seemed as though the sky was falling in.

The album features 13 of Kathie’s songs, including the single Waiting For The Silence (released date on 27th September), plus two instrumentals which bookend the collection.

Kathie said:

“I never intended for there to be such a big break between releases but a lot happened in the intervening time. The biggest loss was my good friend who was also my biggest musical inspiration. It made working on music too painful for a time. Along the way I had scary health issues, culminating with a serious spinal operation on my neck.”

The audience at the album launch was treated to some live performances from Kathie proving she sounds just as good – if not better- live.

This is Kathie’s fifth album, and the third of her own songs. During the recording she experimented with sound, for the first time using samples, loops and her own ambient recordings. There are also appearances by a theremin, a Stylophone and even a kazoo.

Commenting on the production of the album Kathie said:

“I also rediscovered my love of just playing around with synthesizers; I still own my very first synth, a Korg Mono/Poly bought in 1983. It makes a couple of appearances on the album,” says Kathie.

Other songs on the album include: Selkie Of Skaill Bay, Kathie’s own take on an Orkney myth of seals adopting human form; The Aftermath, about the loss of her friend; Between Heaven And The Sky, with a string trio; and The Stirring Of Ghosts, featuring guitarist Arron Storey.

Facing The Falling Sky was produced, recorded and mixed by Kathie Touin at her own Starling Recording Studio in Orkney.

An ideal Christmas gift the CD is on sale locally in Orkney at Grooves and The Reel in Kirkwall. It can also be bought at  Castaway Crafts Dounby.

Downloads or streaming are available on all the usual sites, eg Apple, Amazon, Google, Spotify

Click on this link to access Kathie Touin’s website where you can also purchase it & more links to online sites selling it : Kathie Touin – Buy Music