Kitty Empire

Born in Montreal in 1970, Kitty Empire was brought up in Canada, Egypt and Italy before coming to the UK in 1988.

She studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Thames Valley University, then wandered into a series of jobs which included, most auspiciously, stage door-keeper for the Royal Shakespeare Company at London's Barbican Theatre.

In 1995, she began writing regularly for New Musical Express, performing various roles there including editing the new bands section. She remained at NME until 2002, when she became The Observer's pop music critic.

She has also contributed to GQ, The Scotsman, Uncut and various Radio 4 programmes.

Kitty Empire is a pen name.