Spotlight of the Day: KT Tunstall

Kate Tunstall, aka "KT" (short for her first/last name), embarked on a musical journey several years ago and hasn't looked back since. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tunstall was adopted by her father, a physicist and mother, a school teacher and attended school in St. Andrews on the east side of Scotland. She has two brothers, Joe and Daniel, who is deaf. By the time she reached her twenties, Tunstall was curious about her birth mother and met her not too long after. Her birth mother is of Chinese decent and her birth father, whom she never met, is Irish. During their reunion, her mother told her that her biological father was a folk musician. Thus, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Throughout her twenties, Tunstall participated in various independent bands such as Elia Drew Red Light Stylus and Tomoko. In 2004, after much focus on her songwriting, Tunstall released her debut solo album, Eye to the Telescope. Upon release, the album sky rocketed to the number three position on the UK charts and nominated in 2005 for a Mercury Music Prize.

On February 7, 2006, he hit album was released in the United States. The first time I heard one of Tunstall's songs was in the amazing movie "The Devil Wears Prada." The opening credits of the movie featured Anne Hathaway preparing for work with the song "Suddenly I See" in the background. I've included it below if you'd like to see it!

Other hit songs by Tunstall include "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree," Other Side of the World" and "Under the Weather." For anyone who is an avid fan of acoustic work, Tunstall released KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza album, which was recorded by Tunstall herself and features only her on her guitar. Her upcoming album Drastic Fantastic is due for release on September 18, 2007 with soon-to-be hits "Saving My Face," "Someday Soon," "Hold On," "Beauty of Uncertanity" and "I Don't Want You Now."

Tunstall brings a fresh, unique flavor to the music industry, with a combination of folk and pop beats in her music selections. My personal favorite is "Suddenly I See," which makes me feel energized and determined to get what I want every time I listen to it. This singer/songwriter brings talent, passion and unique styles to the table every time she performs.

Recommended Songs!
*"Other Side of the World"
*"Suddenly I See"
*"Black Horse and Cherry Tree"
*"I Want You Back" [Live] (Available on her myspace homepage!)

Albums
*Eye to the Telescope [2004)
*KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza [2006]
*Drastic Fantastic [2007]

*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: Mike & Joe!