Our Story

Igloo Hearts are a married folk-pop duo from North Wales, crafting music that is cinematic, emotionally raw, and rich in harmony.

Their journey into songwriting began not in their youth, but after heartbreak—following a long, painful struggle with unsuccessful IVF and miscarriage. In that quiet grief, something unexpected bloomed: they started writing songs together, pouring their shared pain, hope, and love into music. The result? Music that moves people to tears, that feels both familiar and utterly new.

Katie is a classically trained pianist who earned distinction in her Grade 8 and was featured on Channel 4’s The Piano, where Mika described her performance as “one of the best vocal/piano performances they’d ever seen.” James started out as a solo roots artist who supported the likes of Oysterband and Nick Harper.

When they met at an open mic, they discovered not just love, but an uncanny vocal blend that audiences now describe as “like one voice in two bodies.”

Their sound is a tapestry of sweeping piano, intricate guitar, and haunting harmonies—drawing comparisons to artists like Kate Bush, Mitski, All About Eve, Radiohead and Katherine Priddy. Their music has been described as “goosebump-inducing,” “sonic poetry,” and “a masterclass in harmony.” Whether performing at the Liverpool Philharmonic, Café #9, Green Note London, or St Giles’ Church (one of the Seven Wonders of Wales), they offer an immersive, deeply moving experience.

As curators and hosts of the Blue Lantern Sessions in Chester, they have collaborated with top UK folk artists including Michele Stodart (the Magic Numbers), Mark Radcliffe, and Welsh Prize winner, The Gentle Good. They've been featured on BBC Introducing, Focus Wales International Festival, and were runners-up in the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival Rising Competition.

Their debut album, Eyes Closed Against the Sun, arrives in November 2025—an honest, soul-stirring collection capturing everything they’ve lived through together: grief, joy, connection, and transformation.

At a time when AI-generated music is flooding the airwaves, Igloo Hearts stand for something real: raw beauty, the power of performance, emotion, and shared humanity.