KT Tunstall
Ever since her 2005 debut, pop artist KT Tunstall has been an iconic voice in popular music. She began her music journey at a young age, having an interest in musical instruments. After graduating from the Royal Holloway University of London in 1996, the Scottish rock artist catapulted her way to stardom with her debut album, Eye To The Telescope. It hosts some of her most iconic hits, such as “Suddenly I See,” and “Black Horse And The Cherry Tree.” Since then, Tunstall has produced five more internationally released albums (not to mention countless singles), written soundtracks for a number of films, and toured the world. Her work has made her a 2x Platinum Artist, as well as a Grammy Nominee. We recently spoke with the KT about some of her music firsts, her advice for new musicians, and more!
Hey KT! It’s so awesome to get the chance to speak with you. How did you get into music?
Hi! My mum told me I was interested in musical instruments really young. I didn’t really get into listening to music until I was older, like 14 or 15, but I asked my parents for a piano when I was 4 years old. It was definitely in my blood.
When’s the first time you realized you were famous?
I think after the Jools Holland Show, I won the online poll of best act on the show, even though The Cure, Anita Baker and Jackson Browne were also on!! I was running my own website at the time (it was early in the internet days), and I woke up to about 500 emails. I usually got a couple a day.
Your 2004 debut album, Eye To The Telescope, was a chart-topping hit across the world. What was it like to strike gold so early on?
It was incredible. I had worked so hard for so long to get somewhere while refusing to give up trying through my whole 20’s. It was sweet vindication for all the self-belief that was needed to get through to that point. But it also gave me a false sense of ease when it came to success; I thought, “Hey! This is great! I’ll tour with a band and two tour buses forever!” I came to realize over the years that followed that this choice of life is a wonderful experience, but also a very intense rollercoaster ride, and a lot of work to keep afloat!
Despite its release four years before Spotify’s debut, Eye To The Telescope is a hit on the streaming service, with a total of 186.7 million streams. How does it feel, knowing that some of your earliest work still has cultural potency today?
Incredibly relieved and grateful! It is a crazy world out there for musicians, and I am extremely fortunate to have an album that still earns good royalties. It’s also kind of fascinating; that album is so innocent and sweet, I guess I’m a little surprised it still hits people. But it’s very ‘real’, and I think people are hungry for some of that in todays’ world.
Since Eye To The Telescope, you’ve produced 5 more studio albums, your most recent premiering in October of 2018. How has your music style both changed and remained consistent since 2004?
I’ve been very explorative with each album. I’ve wanted to try out so many different things, and the studio - which I initially had no experience, or even much interest being in - has now become such a beloved playground for me. I feel my writing has become more focused, and I like to think has grown and expanded with me. Stylistically, I’ve wandered into lots of different sonic territories, but I think you can always tell that it’s me.
You’re also widely known for your fantastic live performances. What do you love about performing live, and what’s your secret for a successful show?
My secret is…talk to the audience!! Engaging with the people who have spent their hard earned cash on a ticket to see you are particularly delighted if they feel you are playing for THEM, not just another show. So that’s what I do. AndI give my all, every time. I love the physical aspect of it, the sweat, and being so out of breath you might barf! I feel there is a lot communicated just even physically by a performance, and I still feel this energy opening up more and more as I get older and more experienced.
What's the best piece of advice you’ve been given about making it in the industry?
‘It’s 30% talent, 70% business.’ I WISH this wasn’t true, but I think it’s good advice. A great friend and mentor, Bobby Heatlie, told me this way before I got signed. I didn’t believe him at the time, and I would have saved myself a lot of heartache if I had accepted it. I shied away from the business side of my job, and in the long run it really bit me on the ass!
What’s the best piece of advice you can give regarding this?
Take all advice then choose which to use. Pick your battles. Trust your gut. Let other people help you, but keep your eyes open, always, and read the fine print. And in todays’ music landscape, keep as much ownership of your work as you can.
