Short Reviews [Kate Hinote Trio - 2025 - "Stowaways"]

Here we have the second release by the trio led by singer Kate Hinote, who is again joined by Matthew Parmenter (Discipline) on violin and David Johnson (The Blueflowers) on acoustic guitar. I have enjoyed Matthew’s work for some 30 years, but here his role is that of support as while David creates the foundation and structure for Kate to pitch her vocals against, Matthew is then free to either follow Kate, provide additional and different melodies, or drop out and give space the opportunity to shine. This is American indie folk, a genre I thoroughly enjoy as it is so different to the English folk I am used to, touching slightly into areas like Country, Americana and even Bluegrass, but also very different altogether. In some ways they remind me of South For Winter, but with violin instead of cello and less murder ballads and generally more upbeat songs. Kate has a wonderful vocal style, warm and inviting, powerful yet restrained, and there is the feeling of three friends sat around a campfire, performing of the sheer pleasure of sharing. It is dramatic, with plenty of space within the arrangements for us to be able to enjoy the individual threads as they combine to create something quite special, with the vocals at the heart but the guitar and violin making it what it is, a delight. This is a very different side of Matthew, far removed from what I expect of him with Discipline, and I would expect progheads to be as surprised at this as folkies would be if they heard 'Unfolded Like Staircase', yet there is no doubt he is very much at home in this environment and together the trio have produced a wonderful American indie folk album which is sheer delight. The closing number is a cover, and is one of the most dramatic takes on "Eleanor Rigby" one is ever likely to hear.