THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Katie Thompson

Singer-songwriter Katie Thompson doesn't let the remoteness of her hometown on New Zealand's West Coast prevent her from engaging with an international audience. And she reaches out in many ways, not the least by getting on to Sellaband in which fans can donate money towards the recording of an album.

And they did, to the tune of US$50,000. That's a lot of money from people who want to hear her crafted, mature country-flavourd pop.

That album, Impossible (reviewed here) is mighty impressive and she's also in the running to have it pressed on vinyl via the Facebook page of dailybeat.co.nz.

So Katie Thompson -- multiple award winner as you may see here -- is a woman on the move with a lot of support behind her. She just won the support slot for Elton John through a public vote.

Seems only right she she should join that long and illustrious list who have answered the Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire. 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits. Was played at a friends funeral when I was 15. Now every time I hear it I think of him - it’s the first song I can remember having an emotional attachment to.

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

I started learning the drums just as the Hansons started getting big . . . that’s a little embarrassing. However I later redeemed myself my blasting Chili Peppers & Blink 182 (I hope).

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?
Lennon, Nirvana, Madonna (although Gaga is pretty amazing with the media hype) & Jacko.

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

I wanted to be a vet even though I faint at the sight of blood.

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .
Falling or Flying - Grace Potter; If This Is Goodbye - Mark Knopfler; Alcohol & Pills - Fred Eaglesmith

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

A little clay “Katie” holding a guitar. A friend got it made for me - I freakin love it!

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .
hmmmm a book on confidence by Paul McKenna was pretty handy!

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)
Do I have the power to also bring them back from the dead?? If we do - Johnny Cash and we’d play anything he damn well likes cause he’s the man in black.

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .
Ahhh The Wizard of Oz, Juno & The Green Mile

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)
Adele 21 was the latest album. Downloads - Elton John, Grace Potter, Kenny Chesney, Kasey Chambers, The Adults . . . . .

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

My own song Impossible. Good song structure, not embarrassed by the subject and great production.

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .
You know that field of red tulips with one yellow one in the middle - I like it!

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .
The Southern Cross - to remind me where home is.

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?
I would spend the majority of those five years on the West Coast near my family and friends eating and drinking too much, laughing to loud and playing music. So pretty much what I’m doing now. Then I would finally go to Nashville if only to look around and on the way back spend the last 6 months on an island watching the sun set each night.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”
Well I’ve made two albums so far and seriously I think albums are like children (or so I’m told) - you make all your mistakes with the first one.

You have a fair idea what you’re up to on the second one!

I’ve got a way to go but I don’t mind listening to my album, so that’s saying something!