It's all about me

The views expressed on this blog are entirely my own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employers, family or friends. And yes, I am Helen Arney’s sister – here’s her website.

Want to get in touch? Email me: katarney@hotmail.com

Dr Kat Arney holds a degree in natural sciences and a PhD in developmental biology (with Professor Azim Surabni) from Cambridge University, followed by a post-doc with Professor Mandy Fisher at Imperial College, London.

For her day-job she’s a professional science communicator, spokesperson and blogger for Cancer Research UK. She was production consultant on the documentary “The Enemy Within – 50 years of fighting cancer”, presented by Vivienne Parry OBE, who is an absolute blast to work with.

In her spare time she’s a freelance writer and broadcaster, appearing on the highly successful Naked Scientists for the past decade and producing & presenting the monthly Naked Genetics podcast.

She’s also presented two BBC Radio 4 documentaries – Fighting the Power of Pink and Whatever Happened to the Chemistry Set - and is definitely not the female Brian Cox, despite what the internet says. Maybe more like the Nigella of science… She is also one of the “Top 10 Brits who make science sexy”, according to BBC America, though goodness knows where they got that photo.

In her other life, Kat is usually found playing with eclectic Steampunk/Bollywood outfit Sunday Driver and future pop/electronica act Talk In Colour (formerly The Shadow Orchestra), but freely admits to being a complete musical whore who will go with anyone – email me for session work!

She is also Director of Shipping and Biscuits at Bakul Bagan Records, and producer and co-presenter of the Shady Ladies music podcast, alongside Mary Erskine from Talk In Colour.

Kat has been making music since before she was tall enough to reach the piano keys. Now still not tall enough to reach the keys, she plays harp, clarinet, bass clarinet, spoons and more or less anything else she can get her hands on. As a harpist, she trained with World Harp Festival winner Alison Nicholls.

Kat is available for weddings, funerals, Bar Mitzvahs and corporate functions.  View her current repertoire with audio clips.

Photo courtesy of Michael East

She’s also played:

• With Revere supporting kora legend Toumani Diabate on his recent UK tour
• Alice Coltrane-inspired harp with awesome Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke and the Heliocentrics
• Crazy ethno-jazz with the legendary Lloyd Miller
• Orchestral comedy madness (including accompanying Jarvis Cocker and JimBob from Carter USM) with the Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra
• Fantastical adventures with the Age of Not Believing Orchestra
• Festive harp for Helen Arney’s It’s Going to be an Awkward Christmas, Darling
• Lush electronica with Digitonal
• Postfunk threestep stuff with Bussetti
• Dramatic cabaret punk’n'roll with Kat Vipers, performing with her as part of The Cool Kats duo
• Drum’n'bass clarinet with MoeFoe
• Sweeping soundscapes with The Beaufort Scale
• On “Love from London” by Renu
• In a Radio 1Xtra session in Maida Vale with funkster Aaron Jerome
• On the album “6 Day Riot Have a Plan” for alt-folksters 6 Day Riot
• On the album “What a woman shouldn’t do” by Julie McKee
• On a recording of new work “Fallen to Dust” for composer David Braid
• A plethora of arpeggios for the delightful Laura Kidd a.k.a. She Makes War
• Twinkly bits for Me For Queen
• Harp-hop with Kingdom of Meerkats, featuring members of Belleruche
• Gypsy jazz with the short-lived but excellent Ultrafox (featuring members of Chrome Hoof and Razorlight, no less!)
• As resident harpist at the Spitz Bistro in East London for several years until its closure at the hands of evil property developers
• As half of Polkadots and Moonbeams – a jazz clarinet and guitar duo with Ricky Fabulous – who were resident at the Snooty Fox in Canonbury for more than 5 years.
• A whole bunch of weddings and corporate functions as a solo harpist.  She charges £20 extra for Pachelbel’s Canon

Kat doesn’t do orchestral stuff, because she got fed up of counting 187 bars of rest only to miss the cue for the big glissando.

Kat occasionally does a bit of standup comedy, appearing as her alter-ego Kate Marchant.  She is also an avid knitter and cake baker and her hobby is staying awake for extended periods of time.

Personal motto: Live fast, die tired.