| Punk Chic Rocker By Grainne
McLoughlin
Irish singer/songwriter Sandi Thom has arrived on the scene to give
male rivals Damien Rice and James Blunt a run for their money. Chatting
to Grainne McLoughlin about her new single and upcoming album Thom reveals
the key to making it as a musician and her dreams of playing Wembley stadium.
Very little prepares you for Sandi Thom’s debut single, I Wish I Was
A Punk Rocker. With a strong vocal voice the second-generation Irish artist
has stamped originality upon her work.
The lively up-tempo track I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker is sung largely
unaccompanied with only percussion adding to her vocals. And the result
is very impressive.
Receiving airplay on various radio stations Thom has been compared to
KT Tunstall.
It helped though that she managed to get a little help from the music
guru himself — Paul McCartney.
He told her to keep it simple and you can’t go wrong, Thom missed her
tutorial with McCartney at LIPA where she recently graduated but she was
lucky enough to bump into him in the LIPA bar.
“I grabbed him for enough time to get all the advice I needed. I mean
it’s not often you get the chance to spend time with one of the biggest
legends of the music industry.”
Shortly after that whilst busking in Scotland a multi-millionaire who
had recently sold his fishing business and wanted a new investment was looking
to set up a label in the Orkeny Islands. He was so blown away by Thom that
he made her his first signing.
And the singer hasn’t looked back since. Unique and memorable, Thom’s
album is set to be released in the new year. She’s also scheduled to support
The Proclaimers next month, starting in Edinburgh on December 13.
Sandi Thom tells rí-rá about her favourite things — ranging from her
favourite method of relaxation and music to her most desirable date.
What was the last album you bought?
The last time I went album shopping I came out of Fopp (an independent
music store) in Edinburgh with Rufus Wainwright’s first album, the Gorillaz
new album, Coldplay’s new album, Best of Lou Reed and an old Bob Dylan album.
I normally do that once a month. I do the same thing with DVDs.
What was the last film you watched?
Sin City. I just bought it on DVD. It’s clever but pretty heavy and I
couldn’t go to bed after watching it. I had to stick on Bridget Jones, Edge
Of Reason.
What TV programme would you not miss?
Well the one thing on TV I try desperately not to miss is Eastenders.
The omnibus on Sunday is great.
Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My best mate Lizi — she’s like the sister I never had. Then all my family,
Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Sting, Stevie Nicks.
What’s the key to making it as a musician?
I know it sounds like a cliche but the key to making it as a musician
is to believe in yourself. I've had the honour of meeting so many utterly
talented young musicians in my lifetime who never see the light of day because
they didn’t have enough confidence in their talents. It also takes a lot
of patience and practice.
What do you love most about Ireland?
The obvious — that Ireland is a beautiful place with some of the fabbest
folks around!
Who would you most like to work with in the future and why?
It's really difficult to specify a particular person because there’s
so many. But if I could get Tracy Chapman, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac,
Jeff Buckley (RIP), Sting, Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Ray
Charles and The Beatles in a room with me I’d probably pass out.
Best personal experience to date?
Walking into HMV in Liverpool and seeing my song on the shelves. Very
surreal, but definitely my biggest achievement yet.
If you weren’t pursuing this career what other profession would you
have chosen?
I probably would have either ended up being a doctor, archaeologist,
philosopher or a hairdresser.
What’s your greatest ambition?
To play Wembley with a massive band to thousands of people. But then
I’d also like to cure my ridiculous fear of coat hangers or to visit every
country in the world at least once.
Favourite method of relaxation?
I recently went to see a hypnotherapist — he taught me how to calm myself
in stressful situations but I also love to go to church and listen to the
choir sing.
The most important lesson life has taught you?
Never to plan ahead of next week, spontaneity is the key — that way you’ll
never be disappointed.
Humanity’s most useful invention?
Music.
What’s your favourite tipple?
Either Canadian Club, Tia Maria, Baileys or occasionally the odd pint
of Guinness when I feel the need for iron.
What’s your greatest extravagance?
I’d have to say my car as it’s the only I own entirely myself.
How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered for all my eccentricities and I hope it
would make people laugh. Ultimately I’d like people to remember me as a
good friend.
Most desirable date?
Johnny Knoxville.
What is your favourite smell?
The Ocean because it reminds me of home. And peanut butter, butterscotch,
peaches and cream.
Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Picking Daffodil bulbs for the local farmer.
First concert you ever went to?
Jason Donovan!
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
My Way, Frank Sinatra.
Three songs you’d most like to have written?
Black Hole Sun by Sound Garden, Graces by Jeff Buckley and Landslide
by Fleetwood Mac.
Best career move?
Listening to my peers.
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