The Lark

Oct 28 2008 by Tamzin Lewis, The Journal

Known for her pure voice and magnificent reworkings of traditional songs, Yorkshire’s Kate Rusby has released eight albums, duetted with Ronan Keating, survived a divorce and won a legion of fans. On the eve of a North-East gig, folk’s first lady shares her thoughts with Tamzin Lewis.

What are your earliest memories of listening to music? My parents used to sing to us in the car, which was a way of keeping us quiet. It worked because folk songs are story songs and we loved to hear them; each one is like a mini film.

How important was music to you when you were growing up?

Very important, even though I didn’t realise it for a few years. I thought that everyone had musical instruments hanging about the house and parents that sang to them. I thought everyone went to concerts, sessions and festivals. So I was quite shocked when I realised it wasn’t the case!

How would you describe the development of your music since your first album, Hourglass?

I would say it has matured over the years. We recorded Hourglass 12 years ago. Oh my god, that’s a long time ago isn’t it? Thanks for making me feel old!

Technology has changed so much since then, so even the physical recording of an album is a different, better process than it was. It seems almost space age compared to how it was.

I have used the same musicians, ‘my boys’, so we have all matured together and we have a great working relationship – we can almost mind read each other. I love working with them all. I think we used to have an urge to fill in the gaps, so there was always something happening, both musically and touring. Now we prefer to leave a bit more space, for thought and calm. Also I know what biscuits to provide now, a very important thing to make an album run smoothly.

Describe your perfect day.

Wake up with the sun beaming outside the window, get up and say hello to my dog Doris, then have a cup of tea with the paper outside. Walk Doris in the fields, then eat lovely food for lunch at Wagamama, watch some Grey’s Anatomy, go to the gym, and have my nephews round to play on the Wii. Then go out for dinner with everyone I love, eat gorgeous food and drink lovely red wine. After that we’d go home and stay up a while playing and listening to music, then bed all cosy and warm.

Are you a romantic at heart?

Oh yes. Totally and utterly, but not in a sloppy way though.

Who are your greatest influences and favourite songwriters?

Firstly my parents. They were always playing and singing, so me, my brother and sister were picking up songs from the word go. Then my two other main influences are Dave Burland and Nic Jones.

Dave is from Barnsley and I saw him play a lot as I was growing up. He’s fantastic. My dad used to be a sound engineer at festivals and gigs and it was at Barnsley folk festival that I was sat listening to Dave and decided that I might like to be professional singer.

And Nic, I never got to see him play live, but his records were always on in the house, he was absolutely amazing. I still never leave home without a cd of his in my car.

Have you got a favourite film?

It varies, but I love The Shawshank Redemption, and Forrest Gump.

Are you a sea or a lake person?

Can I be both please? I love water, streams, rivers, lakes and sea. If you pinned me down and did ‘the dreaded typewriter’ (childhood torture from my sister) on me and made me choose, I would go for sea because I love finding shells and bits of things on the beach. And the sound of the sea is heaven.

Have you read a good book lately?

Does Heat magazine count? Besides that I am reading a book called Bright Lights And Promises, by Pauline McLynn, and I am enjoying it very much.

What is your favourite possession?

Doris my dog.

Have you got a favourite view?

As it happens my boyfriend’s bum is quite cute! That and I adore the view of the village I live in, from the park nearby. My family have been here for hundreds of years and many family members reside here. The view makes me very happy that I belong somewhere.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I think I do, yes. I don’t have a clue what they are made of, but I believe there are spirits that hang about for some reason. Have you not seen Sixth Sense? It’s all there and it’s true.

What was your favourite age to be and why?

My age, 34, because I feel like I have a very good idea of how to live now, and I am the happiest I have been in a long time.

Recommend an up-and-coming singer/band.

Ruth Notman, she’s fab.

Kate Rusby performs at the Gala Theatre, Durham, on November 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £20. Tel: (0191) 332-4041, www.galadurham.co.uk