‘I'D BE SO ANGRY WITH MYSELF IF I'D REPEATED WHAT I'D DONE ALREADY JUST BECAUSE IT WAS SUCCESSFUL'
ltlst because it was successful.’
Another factor in her new expansive sound is her band. 'l‘unstall is incredibly adept at solo performance. thanks in part to her loop pedal. affectionately called ‘Wee llaslard‘. She demonstrated as much on what became her first big break. a show-stopping rendition of ‘lllack Horse and the (‘hct‘t‘y 'l‘t'ec‘ on later with .lnuls‘ lIu/luml. If you need further proof of her remarkable talent. look no further than her jaw- dropping version of The Jackson l’ive‘s ‘I Want You llack‘ on You'l‘ube.
l"or all that solo prowess. 'l'unstall also now has a hardened touring band behind her. 'l'hree years spent on the road with her band have created a more robust sound throughout Drastic I'imtustii‘. which better reflects her onstage confidence. Although a natural live performer. her skills honed through years of busking and touring as an unsigned unknown. her punishing worldwide tour schedule did take its toll eventually.
"l'here have been days on the road. very rarely but a few. where I’ve just been so wasted and tired that when I went on stage the adrenaline didn't kick inf she admits. ‘I just thought: “Oh no. this is had news“. because the only way you can do all the nodding and grinning and interviews and all that is the pay-off of a gig at the end of it. and ifl don’t have that . . .‘
She tails off in what is about the only downbeat moment in our interview. Most of the time. though. 'l‘unstall has a ball. touring the world. playing to packed houses and basically living out her dreams. The deluxe version of Drastic I'imlustii‘ comes with a tly-on-the-wall documentary made by a friend of hers who followed her on tour. It unsurprisineg reveals her to be a grounded. carefree individual who nevertheless can turn on the pop star charm when she hits the stage.
‘We were at a screening of it. and I got absolutely wasted because I didn't realise how uncomfonable it would be actually watching me being me. and not me being K'l‘.’ she laughs. ‘I was really freaked out and l was power drinking to get through it.’
I suggest it‘s probably a good sign she was freaked out at the idea of watching a film about herself; at least she hasn't succumbed to the narcissism so common among big stars. She laughs in agreement. 'l‘unstall still very definitely sees herself as a musician first and foremost. and refuses to buy into celebrity culture.
"l'hat whole megastardom thing is absolutely about lifestyle not music. you can pretty much choose whether or not to get involved with the
5-20 Sop 700/ THE LIST ‘9