Kate Griffin

My guest on this episode is Kate Griffin, a talented English multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, photographer and visual artist. Known for her innovative clawhammer banjo playing, evocative singing and genre-blurring musical adventures, Kate is a founder member of acclaimed folk-roots band Mishra, which performs in various guises from duo to six-piece. She was formerly a member of folk trio The Magpies, and has an ongoing duo collaboration with Mozambique multi-instrumentalist Matchume Zango.

In our chat we discuss how Kate came to folk and roots music, how Mishra went from bluegrass covers band (her words, not mine!) to global folk collective, and about how Kate likes to push the boundaries of banjo playing in her efforts to stretch her own creativity. We also talk about some of her experiences as a woman on the UK folk scene, and her love of nature and the outdoors, which helps to recharge her creative batteries. Kate also mentioned her educational work and playing for children at organisations like Concerteenies and Little Puddle People. This was a really enjoyable conversation – it’s always a pleasure talking to Kate, such a thoughtful, creative person, and a real Renaissance Woman!

Podcast theme music ("The Old Ways - instrumental") was written by Maria Wallace and features Jay Bradberry (fiddle), Mike Giverin (mandolin), Lucille Williams (double bass) and Phil Stott (guitar). Copyright © and ℗ 2025 Maria Wallace. All rights reserved. This episode also features some excerpts of Kate Griffin’s music, with her permission: clips of “Rise” and “Reel to Reel” from Mishra’s album Reclaim, and of “If We Listen” from Kate Griffin & Matchume Zango’s album “Tchopo”. Copyright © and ℗ Kate Griffin, all rights reserved.

Website links:

https://www.kategriffincreative.com/

https://www.mishramusic.co.uk/

Listen to and buy Kate’s music at

https://mishramusic.bandcamp.com/

https://kategriffin.bandcamp.com/

Follow Kate Griffin and Mishra on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/kate.griffn

https://www.instagram.com/mishra.music/

https://www.instagram.com/griffinandcollier/

https://www.instagram.com/griffin.zango/

https://www.facebook.com/mishraband

https://www.youtube.com/@mishra_music

Mishra duo – official video of If We Listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f_UMSxzwB4

Milholo by Kate Griffin and Matchume Zango

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXTSxqrhBuc

The Manchester Rambler being performed up on Kinder Scout:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiTNmoqfYD4

Making Tracks music exchange programme:

https://makingtracksmusic.org/