Hot shots 2004: Cathy Davey

Along with The Tycho Brahe’s Carol Keogh, the pair provide a tantalising and ethereal vocal element to Ken McHugh’s quirky electro-acoustic project.
Having met while working on this project, Ken and Cathy formed a creative alliance and the pair disappeared back into the studio – this time with Ken squarely at the helm of the production desk. The fruits of Cathy’s labours – a mixture of otherworldly indie and soft space age melodica – certainly touched a nerve with various music bosses and resulted in an A&R scrum that eclipsed even the high-profile signing of The Thrills.
UK label EMI/Parlophone, home to Supergrass, Coldplay and Radiohead emerged triumphant and signed the singer in a highly lucrative deal that saw Davey become the toast of the music trade press last year. In fact, certain industry insiders contend that Cathy’s deal was partly responsible for the subsequent A&R goldrush that has swept many Irish artists off their feet.
At the moment, Cathy is back in the studio recording her debut album, due for release later this year, and preparing for her year as a pivotal priority act in the EMI stable.