And the Welcome everyone to another edition of the Soda Jaker on Songwriting Podcast. I'm Simon accompanied as ever by Brian and

joining us for episode 223 is a multi-talented Welsh musician, songwriter, producer and

author. To date she's collaborated with the likes of Simple Minds, Manic Street Preachers, Bernard Butler,

Riz Ahmed and Nittinsigns,

and her many admirers include the likes of Elton John and the cures Robert Smith.

Her current album, The Excellent Self- Produced The Art of Losing, was one of the biggest indie

success stories of 2021.

And as this reaches you, the album has just been re-released as a special 19 track expanded edition,

which includes five lovely bonus acoustic tracks.

So we thought that was the perfect opportunity to get her on the show and chew the fat about her approach to writing songs.

We're very happy to welcome the splendid Catherine and Davies, aka the Ancress, to the show.

Our guest was born in 1985 in Glenith Wales and moved with their family to Australia when she was still a baby.

They returned to the UK when Catherine was four and she was raised in Ellesbury, Buckinghamshire.

As a child, Catherine took dancing lessons, sang in choirs and played the fluting youth

orchestras before picking up her sister's guitar in her teens, later teaching herself piano.

She got into alternative music as an adolescent, in particular the Manic Street Preachers,

as well as exploring her parents record collection, which included the likes of James Taylor, Elton John,

and various Motown and Prague rock artists.

As much as she loved music, Catherine was even more fascinated by how records were put together.

For her 17th birthday she was given the choice between getting driving lessons or a multi-track recorder, and you can guess what she chose.

Well you crave your freedom at that age don't you? Just kidding she chose the multi-track.

While at university some of Catherine's demos won her positive notices in the music press,

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