DEPENDABLE KT TUNSTALL TALKS WINEHOUSE AND LILY ALLEN

KT Tunstall talks about why she’s the only one of the big three UK sensations that have made a consistent presence in the US.

KT Tunstall is in the U.S. once again to promote her album, Drastic Fantastic, and she’s been the only one of the most talked about female imports from the U.K. that has made a consistent splash in U.S. Amy Winehouse has had issues with her failed attempt at sobriety and her husband currently locked up in prison. Lily Allen has had visa trouble, and has also taken a break – somewhat more voluntarily – becoming a mom.

KT talked about being the only one to appear consistently in the United States for her fanbase.

“I feel left out that I’m the only one who’s touring America with a band? No. I feel good. I feel fine, and I’m a big fan of both Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. They’re both incredibly talented. They’re a massive and enriching addition to the British music scene, and I’m very grateful for both of them, but I want to be a musician. I want to tour. I want to be doing gigs and smoking a pipe when I’m 65. I want to be Mrs. Levon Helm (of The Band). I’ve got stuff I want to do, and I’m not going to waste it. I still get wasted in my own way (laughs). I just don’t think you need to do it like that.”

She also talked about why she seems to be more consistent as a musician and artist than Allen or Winehouse.

“Well, I’m ten years older than them, which doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It means that I’ve wanted it more for longer. I wanted the life of a musician for a long time and not to have to do anything else. When I turned 30 it really opened my eyes. It was a beautiful day. I just suddenly went, ‘I don’t have to like you, and you don’t have to like me, and I don’t have to do that, and I don’t have to do that with you.’ I thought, ‘Wow, that’s great. I don’t need everybody to like me. I don’t need to please everybody. I just need to do what I want to do, and there’s so much I want to get done.”

KT Tunstall is currently touring again in the U.S. in support of Drastic Fantastic. She has also been nominated for a Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist. She’s up against Kate Nash, Bat For Lashes, Leona Lewis and PJ Harvey. The awards take place February 20.