Her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, solidified her as a leading voice in the burgeoning folk-pop movement. Her debut record produced enduring hits such as the rhythmically charged “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” the tender ballad “Other Side of the World,” and the soaring anthem “Suddenly I See,” which would later become synonymous with The Devil Wears Prada. She recalls her Manager at the time saying to her, “enjoy this moment; they’ve used your entire unedited song for the beginning of the film, no dialogue. It’ll probably never happen like this again”. The iconic opening scene of the movie cemented her place in a defining cultural moment.
Amid a crowded field of rising female singer-songwriters, Tunstall stood apart, exuding authenticity and displaying an unmistakable stage presence and musicianship. “There are two core elements to my style,” she reflects. “I’ve got the troubadour, acoustic, emotionally driven side, and then there’s the raw, fiery rock element with a ton of teeth.” This duality - switching from heartfelt acoustic ballads to gritty rock anthems - has been a hallmark of her career.
By the time her sophomore album Drastic Fantastic was released in 2007, Tunstall had evolved from folk-pop ingénue to bona fide rock star. The record leaned further into guitar-driven rock without losing the melodic hooks that defined her sound. It reflected her resistance to being confined to one musical identity, pushing beyond her folk roots. This was further explored in her 2010 album Tiger Suit, recorded in Berlin, where she fused acoustic instrumentation with pulsing electronic beats, breaking new creative ground.
Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon (2013) marked a dramatic shift in her sound and mood. Recorded in the widescreen desert landscapes of Tucson, Arizona, the album embraced a strippedback, Americana-tinged aesthetic, mirroring a period of personal upheaval, including the loss of her father and the breakdown of her marriage. Critically lauded, the album revealed some of Tunstall’s most intimate and vulnerable work.
As she entered the second decade of her career, Tunstall embarked on one of her most ambitious ventures yet: a trilogy of albums exploring the interwoven themes of soul, body, and mind. The first, 2016’s KIN, was the ‘soul’ record - a bright, anthemic return that rekindled her love of music after a period of disillusionment. In 2018, she followed with WAX, the ‘body’ record, which embraced her rock instincts with a visceral intensity. The trilogy concluded in 2022 with NUT, the ‘mind’ album, written during a period of profound life changes, including her move to the U.S., as well as creating an album remotely through the pandemic. “This trilogy represents probably the most extreme and transformative period of my life,” Tunstall reflects.
Earlier this year, as the 20th anniversary of Eye to the Telescope approached, Tunstall was honored with the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for ‘Outstanding Song Collection’ - a testament to her enduring influence among both peers and fans alike. In the past year, she has toured both as a solo act and co-headliner with iconic U.S. singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, while also serving as a special guest on tours with Roger Daltrey, and fellow Scots, Texas.
In addition to her prolific music career, Tunstall has expanded into composing for film and theater. Most recently, it was announced that Clueless, The Musical, for which she composed the music, will make its West End debut in February 2025.
Next year, Tunstall will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her seminal debut album Eye to the Telescope with a series of special performances and a re-release featuring additional tracks, including an inaugural headline show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. After two decades, KT Tunstall remains a vital, ever-evolving artist - one who continues to surprise, innovate, and captivate audiences around the world.
