Get To Know: KT Tunstall

KT Tunstall, born Kate Victoria Tunstall on June 23, 1975, in Edinburgh, Scotland, was adopted at eighteen days old by David and Rosemary Tunstall and grew up in St Andrews, Fife. She developed an early interest in music, learning to play the piano, flute, and guitar. Tunstall attended the High School of Dundee and later studied at the Royal Holloway, University of London, where she earned a degree in music. She played in a variety of bands during her early 20s, and she was eventually offered an independent record deal with British Relentless Records.

Tunstall’s breakthrough came in 2004 when she achieved one of the earliest examples of internet “virality” following a solo performance on Later…with Jules Holland. Famously, she was given only 24 hours to prepare for the performance after the planned guest, Nas, cancelled.  Her performance was quickly followed by her debut album, “Eye to the Telescope,” which featured the hit singles “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See.” The album was both a commercial and critical success, earning her a Mercury Prize nomination and a BRIT Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in 2006. “Suddenly I See” became particularly popular, featured in various media, most notably The Devil Wears Prada.

Following the success of her debut, Tunstall released her second album, “Drastic Fantastic,” in 2007, which continued her commercial success with singles like “Hold On” and “Saving My Face.” In 2010, she released “Tiger Suit,” which showcased a more electronic and experimental sound. The album was well-received, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile artist.

Her fourth album, “Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon,” released in 2013, marked a departure from her previous work, focusing on more acoustic and introspective themes. This album was influenced by personal experiences, including the death of her biological father and her divorce.

In 2016, Tunstall announced a trilogy of hyper-reflective album. First, she released “KIN,” an album that marked her return to a more upbeat and pop-oriented sound. She followed this with the release of “WAX” in 2018, exploring themes related to the mind, body, and soul. The trilogy concluded with “NUT” in 2022, showcasing her continuous evolution as an artist.

Throughout her career, Tunstall has collaborated with various artists and contributed to several soundtracks, including the song “Miracle” for the film “Winter’s Tale” and “We Could Be Kings” for the Disney movie “Million Dollar Arm.” She has also ventured into acting, with a role in the 2018 film “Leap!” Most recently, she collaborated with one of her idols, Suzi Quatro, on the 2023 album “Face to Face.”

When not touring, Tunstall lives in Los Angeles, where she writes and records all of her projects.

Want to know more about KT Tunstall? You can visit her website, https://www.kttunstall.com, for more information!

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