The Album That Saved My Life - ‘SYMBOLISM’ by Katie

INTRODUCTION

Hi, I’m Katie The Wheeled Piper! I’m 18 and live in Carnoustie, Scotland, and first picked up the bagpipes in May 2021. Piping became my life and has saved it twice, but composing is the reason I continue to fight my chronic health challenges every day.

ABOUT ME AND ‘SYMBOLISM’

That’s why I would love to share with you a project that’s been keeping me sane - my album ‘Symbolism’ - consisting entirely of my original compositions with the exception of 3 tunes that are very special to me.

I wanted to create a concept album, storytelling with music even though there are no lyrics. Music to me is a language that anyone can understand, and simultaneously an art form because there are an infinite amount of interpretations personal to any one listener. Music is a tool I have used to not only channel my innermost emotions, but also to summarise the ups, downs and uncertainties of my life thus far. I hope you will be able to hear that, and see it too in the digital artworks I have drawn on my iPhone for each set.

I’ve never fitted in. After being diagnosed with Arthritis at the age of 4, Crohn’s Disease age 6, and becoming a full-time wheelchair user age 7, (without trying to be cliche!) I’ve always felt like the odd one out - alienated by my different experience of the world around me. Developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome without being believed at first didn’t help. With no friends, equal opportunities or a remote sense of inclusion, my younger years were difficult to navigate - my wheels stopped me at every corner.

Little did I know that piping would change everything. It was when I found out I needed life-threatening spinal surgery for scoliosis I took my practice chanter seriously, my aim now being to progress to the Great Highland Bagpipe and of course make my medical team cry to Highland Cathedral! Been there, done that, recovered better than anyone could have expected, thanks to piping giving me improved lung function alongside a positive focus in an otherwise bleak few weeks.

Yet again, I had to rely on music being my best medicine. In 2023, I suffered severe gastro issues that would worsen to the point that I couldn’t eat anything. Everything I ate gave me so much pain I would feel like I was having a heart attack from the pressure of abdominal distension, the worst part was I didn’t (and still don’t) know why. I survived on water only for 10 days before finally going into theatre at The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital - I came out with a nasogastric feeding tube and a warning that I was nearing organ failure. I was exhausted, petrified and above all adamant I was going to escape this hell my body put me through to be on a stage again. 6 long weeks split between 2 different hospitals, a seemingly endless series of tests and failed treatments, more questions than answers… existence went on in limbo. My pipes were shut in their case, untouched for 10 months, the weight on my shoulder not drones but dread. My hope, community, digital art and digital pipes on the few “good days” kept me going in the year that followed, full of additional hospital admissions and tube feeding.

Eventually I was able to reintroduce a few foods back into my diet which gave me more energy and moreover a sense of normality. When I reunited with my beloved instrument I was more passionate, and soon more creative too after raging fevers from Covid-19 lit a composing flame inside me I never knew I had.

My chanter became my unpaid therapist, and performance is still a drug addictive as ever. When I’m playing, I’m not thinking about the bad stuff, all I’m thinking is will this music reach people in a way my words can’t? Whether you like it or not isn’t my decision, nor should it be, but my decision lies within the fine intricacy of balancing musical qualities to immerse you in something - you can decide what that something is.

Each track of Symbolism, of which there are 12, is named after a philosophical concept with all the words ending in “ism”. Though the philosophies themselves all vastly differ, they all share a commonality - their search for understanding. I feel the journey I have been on has likewise been a search, one through prejudice, adversity and gradual acceptance, and I’ve transformed elements of my story into essentially an audiovisual representation.

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS

Since I missed 5th year of high school due to my health, I am currently completing a 7th year so I will have the qualifications I need. Unfortunately, there is no funding available for those still in full-time education and so this is where I ask for your help.

I envision a big sound with more instruments than just pipes, but this will come at a cost of in total £20,000. I know this may seem extortionate, but please find the rough breakdown below:

Instruments (6 musicians)

* Guitar

* Fiddle

* Drums and Percussion

* Piano and Keys

* Bass

* Whistle

Costs

* Working on backing chords - £1000

* Backing Rehearsals and Recording (including Engineer and Studio) - £9120

* My Recording (Engineer and Studio) - £1620

* Mixing - £1620

* Mastering - £720

* Design - £1000

* Pressing - £1500

* Photos - £400

* Typesetting - £500

* Social Media Filming - £500

* Accommodation/Travel - £1000

* Producer - £1000

Needless to say releasing this album (while I am well enough to do so) is my dream. Two of my biggest musical inspirations, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, have agreed to be part of this musical chapter - the thought of recording with them and all the other incredibly skilled musicians is surreal.

MY GOALS

I would like to bring you all along on this endeavour and so anyone who donates shall receive thanks on the album, no matter how large or small your donation. Please include your name and where you’re from upon donating to be included.

My plan is for Symbolism to be available as physical CDs and on major streaming services.

Although all funds go towards paying the professionals fairly, any profit from album sales will be used on publishing a tune book with Symbolism’s compositions.

If you have any questions do let me know!

I’m both beyond excited and terrified to see where this goes! I will be eternally grateful for any support!

Cheers,

Katie x