KT returns to her old stomping ground for Simple Minds gig

Slessor Gardens, Dundee, September 9

She has been touring with Simple Minds and The Pretenders and has thoroughly enjoyed working on her latest record with former Franz Ferdinand guitarist turned producer Nick McCarthy.

But could KT Tunstall soon be hitting the road with American rock singersongwriter legend Suzi Quatro?

“Why not?” declares the St Andrewsraised singer-songwriter when she exclusively reveals to The Courier that she is soon to be recording with the Devil Gate Drive artist at Rak Studios in London where Quatro started out in the 1970s, and hopes to release some material by the end of the year.

“It’s just starting out with a few songs, but I would love to build it up into more,” says KT. “She’s just so single minded about what she does. She’s a rocker. But she’s a sensitive soul at the same time, and it’s been a real pleasure to meet her. We’ve written some good songs.”

KT is thrilled about the Grandslam tour with Simple Minds and The Pretenders, which finishes with a gig at Dundee’s Slessor Gardens.

The 43-year-old former Dundee High School pupil, who used to busk in the pedestrian walkway between Dundee city centre and the former Olympia leisure centre, has come a long way since she broke into the public eye with a live solo performance of her song Black Horse and the Cherry Tree on Later…with Jools Holland in 2004.

Her debut album Eye to the Telescope inspired her nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2005, won her the Best British Female Artist Brit Award in 2006 and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2007, amongst other accolades.

Yet despite her own astronomical credentials, KT says it’s “really inspiring” being on tour with legendary acts she describes as “master craftsmen”.

“It’s like going to rock school every day,” she laughs. “They are just amazing writers, they are superb performers and the thing that’s maybe most exciting is that they are both bands that are very very excited about making new music.

“I think being the generation below them and witnessing that and listening to what they’ve done – both the Simple Minds and the Pretenders records are great.”

Growing up in a “non-musical” household in St Andrews, KT admits that she didn’t listen to many tunes in her early days. But Simple Minds were “always there”.

She’s a big fan of Chrissie Hynde with her “completely individual” voice and “instantly memorable, brilliantly written” songs.

But she admits: “I’m only just managing to hold it together chatting to Chrissie back stage!

“I’m like ,‘Oh my God, is this real life?’”

KT Tunstall has been touring with Simple Minds and The Pretenders.