Pearl And The Puppets - 'Kisses' (2010)

Leaving behind her teaching degree course at Glasgow University, multi-instrumentalist and aspiring singer-songwriter Katie Sutherland landed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell, and signed with both Twenty-First Artists (Elton John's management company), and Island/Universal Republic Records in 2009. Although primarily a solo vehicle for Sutherland, a full band was recruited, featuring Gordon Turner (guitar), Scott Clark (bass), Michael Abubakar (keyboard) and Blair McMillan (drums). Adopting the name Pearl & The Puppets, they toured the Scottish festival circuit, performing their folk-tinged indie pop to rave reviews and comparisons with everyone from Belle & Sebastian, to Dolores O'Riordan and Regina Spektor. Work began on an album, produced by Stephen Street (Blur), David Kosten (Bat For Lashes) and Steve Chrisanthou (Corinne Bailey-Rae), whilst 2010 saw a debut single, 'Because I Do', released in May. A follow-up single, 'Make Me Smile', appeared in August, with the album expected in early 2011, only the album never came. 'Kisses' is one of three tracks from a five track album sampler put out in January 2010 which are therefore otherwise unreleased.