Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/katemartinmusic

Kate Martin was born into music.

The daughter of jazz musician parents, Kate taught herself how to play piano at the tender age of three. Over the next ten years, she went about teaching herself any and every instrument she could find. By 12, she was singing jazz standards in her father's band. In her teens, Kate began writing her own folk-pop songs, eventually picking up supports with the likes of The Middle East, Little Birdy and Hungry Kids of Hungary.

In 2010, Kate released her gorgeous debut album, Synthetic Shoes, Leather Boots, an eclectic and wide ranging exploration of her diverse musical influences and considerable instrumental talents. Since then, Martin has kept trying new things, swapping her acoustic guitar for an old Stratocaster she found in a junk shop and forming and reforming a band (now known as The Shallowsea Choir) to record her much awaited sophomore lp, Hand Me My Bow and Arrow.

Hand Me My Bow And Arrow was a long time in the making -- 18 months, juggled between tours. The album was by Kate's chance find of the old Strat, which inspired a new way of writing and playing; its rich, warm tones are all over the record. Hand Me My Bow and Arrow is a rewarding, diverse listen, full of subtle flourishes, lush, layered melodies and assured popcraft -- the sound of a songwriter we'll be hearing a lot more from.

The record, which was recorded in Sydney over 18 months, also features Bree Tranter and Rohin Jones, both from noted Townsville outfit The Middle East, and now solo musicians.

The album's first single, Apples, typifies the album: beautifully paced and intricately played, it's shot through with subtle instrumental flourishes and coloured with rich harmonies. Watch Kate performing the track for our On the Roof series above.

Synthetic Shoes, Leather Boots and Hand Me My Bow and Arrow are both out on Gaga Digi (excluding Australia & New Zealand).