The Skinny On... KT Tunstall

What’s your favourite place to visit?
I love Japan. It’s a fascinating culture with great people, amazing food, so much beauty and interest, and really feels like visiting a completely different world. Each time I go I feel like it becomes more complex. I’d love to spend some more time traveling around the country.

What's your favourite food?
I would have to choose Italian food. I love all the different courses, the sauces and fresh herbs, the different styles of cooking things. It’s always made with passion and old family recipes, and there’s so many different versions of each dish. The flavours of each ingredient are simple, and the end results are mind-blowing.

What's your favourite colour?
This is hard. I have favourite colours to wear, which would be different from a room, or a painting, but if I had to choose, I think a soft coral pink is my current favourite.

Who was your hero growing up?
I don’t remember having one to be honest. There were pop stars I liked, like Wham, Kim Wilde and Bros, and sportspeople like John McEnroe, but I struggle to think of one person. If I have to choose, I’d say Dr. Seuss! I loved the worlds and characters he created, and his rhythm and rhyming are *chef's kiss*

Whose work inspires you now?
Now that I live in Santa Fe, NM, I am constantly inspired by the life of artist Georgia O’Keeffe. I’m also excited to dive deeper into the music of Bonnie Raitt, which I’m surprised I haven’t done yet, and Dolly Parton is always an inspiration with her incredible songwriting and graceful way of moving through the world. There are so many inspirations, too many to list!

What three people would you invite to your dinner party and what are you cooking?
Picasso, Bill Hicks and Joan Rivers. I’m making cheese fondue.

What's the worst meal you prepared when you first started cooking for yourself?
When I was totally broke, I used to make pasta with ketchup, chopped garlic, milk and cheese to make the sauce. It was terrible and delicious.

What’s your all time favourite album?
Again, extremely difficult question. I will choose Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Incredible songwriting, feel-good as well as heartbreaking, superb musicianship, I always discover new feelings and moments of enlightenment with this album.

What’s a song you love from the first physical release you bought?
The title track from Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins. An older friend told me I should buy it, and it flipped open my mind; I couldn’t understand what this amazing singer was even saying, but I loved the sound and emotion of it. And of course the singer was one of the best on Earth, Liz Fraser.

What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?
I think the worst film I’ve seen was Jupiter Ascending. It was so bad it actually started becoming amazing and I would totally watch it again. I’m a HUGE fan of The Matrix, so had high hopes. They were initially dashed, but I am completely open to a second viewing.

What book would you take to a desert island?
I would probably take The Bible as I haven’t read it and would like to. It’s obviously long and very dense, and there are countless interesting stories with different interpretations. But if I was taking something more fun, it would be The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s a beautiful story, and I love the resilience and the hellish pursuit of goodness. Also extremely long and dense.

Who’s the worst?
Um. There are a number of answers to this?! Dictators? Despots?! But to lighten the mood, let’s just go with people who have phone conversations on loudspeaker in public. Absolute douchebaggery.

When did you last cry?
I actually cried a week ago from using a foam roller on my left thigh. I’ve been smashing a tambourine for 20 years and, believe me, it is taking a terrible toll. I think it’s time to retire the tambo.

What are you most scared of?
I’m deeply conflict-averse. I wish I wasn’t and would love to get over it. It’s much worse stewing over something, but I never learned how to calmly express an issue without getting stressed out and tongue-tied. My other half is absolutely brilliant at it, so I’m learning from him!

When did you last vomit?
Minging question!! A bad cashew nut a few years back. Up all night.

Tell us a secret?
When I won my Brit Award, it got immediately sent off to get engraved, and they gave me a second blank one to do all the press with, and let’s just say they didn’t ask for that one back.

Which celebrity could you take in a fight?
I’m too old for fighting. I’d like to think I might win a pillow fight against Natalie Imbruglia. But she’s spicy.

If you could be reincarnated as an animal, which animal would it be and why?
An Eagle. Probably South America. The views! The hunting! The massive nest! So many reasons.

With the 20th anniversary reissue of Eye to the Telescope out at the end of October, how has the past year been for you celebrating this iconic record?
It’s been a pure joy. I’m used to promoting a new record that no-one’s heard and trying to persuade people to take a listen. It’s lovely celebrating something that people already love, and hearing all the amazing stories people have about these songs. My favourite thing is 20-year-olds telling me they play, saying it's because of this album, it’s wonderful and unexpected.

As part of the celebrations, you’re performing a few out-stores at the end of the month – what can people expect from those?
I’ll be joined by my outrageously talented and dear friend Andy Burrows from Razorlight. Think of us as The Approachable White Stripes. We have a great set prepared for fans, a lot of Eye to the Telescope, and a few more recent tunes, and of course a few mash-ups.

You’re being honoured at this year’s Scottish Album of the Year Award with Eye to the Telescope scooping the 2025 prize for Modern Scottish Classic. What does being recognised by the award mean to you? And if you were given the opportunity to award another artist and album with the same accolade, who’s getting the award?
It’s a beautiful thing to happen on this anniversary year. It means a great deal to me, I’m deeply honoured, and I’m thrilled I get to join a list of Scottish luminaries who have all contributed so much to the world of music. If I were to award it, I would give it to the band that made the first ever CD [I bought], Cocteau Twins’ Heaven or Las Vegas. Visionaries, explorers, creators of new worlds. Very deserving.

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Eye To The Telescope: The Stargazer Edition, featuring new tracks and bonus material, is re-released for its 20th anniversary via BMG on 31 Oct
KT Tunstall plays out-stores at Oran Mor, Glasgow, 30 Oct; The Caves, Edinburgh, 1 Nov, and catch her for a signing at Assai Records, Dundee, 31 Oct
KT Tunstall will also perform at The SAY Award Ceremony, Caird Hall, Dundee, 6 Nov

kttunstall.com