EDITORS CHOICE: Kim Carnie releases uplifting pop track Middle of Hope written for multi-award winning documentary

Accomplished singer and composer Kim Carnie is set to release her latest single Middle of Hope on Friday 6 September. The upbeat pop-inspired track conveys a sense of looking to the future with anticipation and positivity, celebrating the openness of queer culture and the support available.

Written for the multi-award winning documentary Kim Carnie Out Loud, which explores Kim’s lived experiences and the profound impact that being in a secret same-sex relationship for six years had on her, Middle of Hope has a poignant message, and wistful yet positive sentiment. The track sees the highly sought-after songstress reflecting on her own desire for acceptance and community.

While filming the documentary, Kim met with members of the queer community from across the world and these people and their stories directly influenced her songwriting at this time. Middle of Hope is inspired by Liz Dyer, the founder of Mama Bears – a group for the mothers of LGBTQ+ children to connect, support, educate and empower each other, based in Texas and supporting people globally. The group, which now has tens of thousands of members, aims to make the world a better and more accepting place, offering invaluable tips and resources for allies.

Kim Carnie said: “Mama Bears do a lot of incredibly important work and Liz’s allyship was like nothing I’ve seen before. When I started writing for the documentary, I saw it as an opportunity to experiment with the music I write and create. I have always loved pop music so writing and recording Middle of Hope was a lot of fun. The song is an anthem of openness and it’s a joy to share that with the world.”

Performing alongside Kim Carnie’s velvet vocals on the atmospheric track are Innes White on guitar and backing vocals, Phil Wilkinson on drums, Graeme Smilie on bass guitar, Conor Smith on electric guitar and pedal steel with Ailis Sutherland, Josie Duncan, Laura-Beth Salter and Aidan Moodie providing additional vocals.

Following a series of successful screenings of Kim Carnie Out Loud at film festivals around the world, Middle of Hope has been awarded ‘Best Song in a Film’ at the Milan Independent Awards and ‘Best Music in a Feature Film’ at the Austin International Art Festival.

Set for its UK premier on 5 September at the GFT in Glasgow, the documentary has received a number of additional accolades including: Winner of Best Feature Documentary Film at Sofia International Film Festival, Winner of Best LGBT Film at Sweden Film Awards, Winner of Best LGBTQ+ Film at This is Your Way Film Festival, Malta and Nominee for Best LGBT Film and Best Documentary at Cannes Film Awards.

Since launching her solo career in 2018, Kim has featured on some of the UK’s biggest stages as well as world-renowned film and computer game soundtracks from Netflix’s Outlaw King and Black Mirror to Hallmark’s A Scottish Love Scheme.

Named Gaelic Singer of the Year in 2021, the beloved singer-songwriter is also a widely respected composer, creating commissions for the Edinburgh Storytelling Centre, Blas Festival and Piping Live! among others.