THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Shayna King

A few weeks ago Elsewhere scooped up the impressive debut album The Day is Young by the Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Shayna King as part of a package of releases. They had all been part of the avalanche of album releases around the Christmas period.

At that time (here) we noted it would seem a real pity if her album was overlooked because there was obviously a keen intelligence and musical craftsperson at work.

And so when she got in touch (to thank us for the coverage, a rare and nice touch) she mentioned she had a tour coming up in support of the album.

Good.

Because that gives us a chance to bring her to your attention again (tour dates below) and let her have her refreshing say in answer to the famous Elsewhere Questionnaire. 

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

Discovering the amazingly smooth voice, sleek song writing and alternative rock sounds of Incubus during my young teen years. I still can’t fault it for any mood.

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

Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys. I still have all the cassettes!

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Lennon, Nirvana, Gaga (Her songs make me feel like I’m 18 again), and Jacko of course!!!!

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

A make-up artist, or owning my own business in some other form.

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Desperation Breeds - Andrew Bird, Digital Lion – James Blake, Heatbeats – Jose Gonzales

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

I can’t think of anything except some Maori flute instruments I made out of sheep bone when I was about six.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

Scar Tissue, the autobiography by Anthony Keidis. Perhaps a bit of an eye-opener to read at 15 but showed me another side to the music industry and intrigued me about what goes on behind the scenes of some of the biggest bands in the world.

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

KT Tunstall. I would play the tambourine and back-up vocals. Fun!

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Rhonda Byrnes' The Secret, Searching for Sugarman and The Hunger Games.

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Last CD I brought was Lydia Cole - Me and Moon. Last download was James Blake – Overgrown. If it’s a Kiwi artist I will almost always buy the hard copy.

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 . . .

Blackbird, The Beatles. Timeless.

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

A traditional Maori koru-inspired artwork.

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

Haea Te Iti Kahurangi… (Reach for the stars).

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Travelling, playing music, sunbathing and immersing myself in different cultures.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

It’s my debut!

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