SCRATCH beneath the surface of Karine Polwart's lilting folk pop and you'll discover some heavyweight substance to its themes.

While many would baulk at tackling harrowing subjects as sex trafficking and internment in Auscwitz, these issues and much more besides are faced head on.

As the former philosophy teacher from Sterlingshire explained, seeking to engage on a whole range of subjects is at the heart of her music.

"There's some heavy duty stuff on the new album but there’s optimism there too. I like to try and make people think a little."

Its slightly cryptic title Scribbled in Chalk is a reference to change and the impermenance of events.

From our chat, it seems the amiable 35 year-old songwriter is clearly happy to go with the flow. For years before her debut album in 2003, she had been in low key bands that were little more than a rewarding side project.

But critical recognition was to come her way last year winning three accolades including best album at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Its follow up looks destined to repeat this success with its radio-friendly tunes.

"We're really happy with the album and got it sounding just the way we wanted it, it's like having a baby.

"The record sounds like a proper band now unlike my first one, which was just done with session players. This group have been touring together for the last year."

Ever since she was a youngster, Karine gained a reputation for being a performer. She formed her first band, KP and the Minichips by 10 and was soon confusing pensioners in retirement homes with renditions of David Bowie's Space Oddity. Another of her childhood heroes was fellow Scot and Band Aid producer Midge Ure.

Her own music is quite removed from the squelchy 80s synths of Ultravox but continues to gain admirers at an more-than respectable rate.

"I'd never seen playing music as a credible job option as it takes people a long time to get recognised. I was nearly 30 when I was working on my first album, so I'm a bit of a late starter.

"But I have come to know so many musicians who are not famous yet still travel the world and are able to make a living out of playing. See them is a big part of my social life."

Having her husband, Mart on tour with her as the band's drummer has been a great experience. She felt that it had been a very positive thing being together on the road, avoiding the problem of being parted on extensive tours.

When not on the road she enjoys pretty regular things, relaxing at her home, reading, walking and "putting the world to rights with a few glasses of wine with friends".

Enthusing about the buzzing music scene north of the border, she revealed that she has just completed singing duets and backing vocals with Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble, for his solo album and is also contributing to another Scots indie collective.

"We really do care about the live shows and its not a case of going through the motions and I feel I've built up a good body of songs now."

Karine Polwart plays the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, July 1. Tickets £13.50-£15.50. Box office 01892 678678.