Kate Maki

A grade-school French teacher by day, Kate Maki spends her evenings as a folksy singer/songwriter, singing her material in a half-spoken manner and strumming her guitar like a percussive instrument. Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Maki didn't fully pursue music until several years into her teaching career. Her debut album, 2003's Confusion Unlimited, received accolades for its mix of folk and alt-country, and Maki returned the following year with The Sun Will Find Us. Both albums earned top honors at the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards, and Kate Maki widened her approach for 2008's On High, working with Giant Sand's Howe Gelb and eliciting support from such American outlets as radio station KCRW.