Kathy Valentine GO-GO-A-GO-GO!

“In the shower I sing made-up opera in a fake accent.” KATHY VALENTINE

What music are you currently grooving to?

I had a little explore and catching up listening session the other day, and played new or semi-new tracks from Silk Sonic, Bully, The Beaches and Father John Misty.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album? Kind Of Blue, Miles Davis. My gateway record to jazz, the one that made it all work for me, that made me seek out everything else. Which I did for many years in the ’90s, and it was that same heart-racing, elated feeling I got when I was discovering rock’n’roll – it was amazing to be so enthralled about a whole new world of music.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it? As a kid and adolescent I was obsessed with Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass and The Beatles and the Top 40. I don’t remember my first 45 single, which is all I bought for years, so I’ll go with my first album, which was Led Zeppelin II. I would have bought it at the first shopping mall in Austin, at Disc Records. I’m sure I got it so I’d seem cooler than I was. Probably my friend’s big brothers and sisters had it.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? Jimi Hendrix. No need to elaborate. What do you sing in the shower? Well sadly, it could be old TV show themes, advert jingles, or made-up opera in a fake accent. But lately I’ve been stuck on [Faces’] Ooh La La. What is your favourite Saturday night record?

Oh, it has to be get-down music. Probably an old-school funk playlist with Ohio Players, Isley Brothers, P-Funk, Commodores, James Brown, Maceo Parker.

And your Sunday morning record? Some Toots And The Maytals or Bob Marley, to get some chill energy flowing.