Biography
Drawing from the experimental pop sounds pioneered by Belle & Sebastian, Regina Spektor, and Feist, the project known as Pearl & the Puppets serves primarily as an outlet for the talents of multi-instrumentalist Katie Sutherland. Having grown up in East Dunbartonshire, Sutherland initially focused on classical woodwind training prior to learning guitar at the age of 19. She paused her studies toward becoming a primary school teacher at Glasgow University in order to secure a publishing agreement with Warner Chappell as well as arrangements with Twenty-First Artists, the management firm of Elton John, and Universal Republic Records. Once she assembled her regular supporting musicians—including guitarist Gordon Turner, bassist Scott Clark, keyboardist Michael Abubakar, and drummer Blair McMillan—Sutherland chose the moniker Pearl & the Puppets and dedicated a significant portion of 2009 to appearances on the Scottish festival scene plus opening slots for acts such as Sugababes, Mika, and Elton John. The forthcoming first album from the group, crafted under the guidance of producers Stephen Street (Blur), David Kosten (Bat for Lashes), and Steve Chrisanthou (Corinne Bailey Rae), is scheduled to appear at the beginning of 2011.
Singles
