Kate Young and Raphaël Decoster together form an exciting blend of original and folk-influenced music. The French accordion dialogs with the Scottish fiddle and Kate’s voice with an intimate spontaneity, which invites us to discover their hidden stories and landscapes.

They create melodies and songs through their interest for visual arts as well as traditional musics, and this atypic combination is the base of their fresh and poetical music.

Kate is also known for her work with Songs of Separation (winners of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017 – ‘Album of the Year’), as well as Eliza Carthy MBE in – Carthy, Oates, Farrell & Young, and her own band, Kate in the Kettle.

Raphaël  is from Lille in the North of France and plays with French Bal-folk band, Zlabya and duo Peut-être Jeanne.

Self-taught musician, Raphaël Decoster started playing the accordion in 2006, discovering at the same time a passion for folk music and dance. Since that he started a long journey learning about music from the folk dance or ‘Bal’ scene in France and Belgium, which led him to collaborations with many musicians and creating different projects.

His approach to music is spontaneous, visual and emotional. His compositions are based on stories that change depending on the time and place, they reveal imageries without showing the whole painting. With the spirit of folk dance embedded within the soul of his music, this original vision of  ‘Bal Folk’ is still inspired by tradition whilst leaving space for the unexpected.

Recorded in Midlothian, Scotland, the duo will release their first album, les objets trouvés in June accompanying a UK tour. The record is the result of many years of creating stories, journeys, musical creativity of a wayward and unexpected nature. Kate & Raphaël form a rare sound of intimacy, playfulness and depth.

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