An Interview with Sandi Thom (2/2) By Steve Rudd

(1/2), (2/2).

Were you surprised by the nation's love affair with your smash-hit single I Wish I was A Punk Rocker, and did you always secretly sense that it was destined to storm the charts? I think I knew that it was certainly something special when it was written, but I guess I was afraid of the fact that it would never be heard for various reasons: firstly it's acapella, which radio rarely plays; the content was political; and, of course, the irony in the first line in the chorus which unfortunately alot of people didn't get!

But I'm glad to say I was proved wrong, and not just in the UK but in several different countries. I never thought it would be No.1 in 4 countries!

A huge amount of your albums will have been bought on the back of your performing live webcasts from your basement. Would you recommend such a form of self-promotion to other up and coming bands and singer songwriters or are live webcasts too much of a pain to set up logistically? I would definitely recommend the advantages of the internet. This is the only way in which you can turn a bedroom operation into a cultural cult hit....there are something like 600,000 music sites on 'MySpace' so there's alot of competition, but the great thing is that it's the public that choose directly whether or not they like your music so it cuts out the middle man....there is more chance of success if you use the tools available to you through the internet.

You are hitting the road over the next few months in order to promote your new album. What do you most look forward to when a tour of this nature is looming on the horizon? I look forward to being able to communicate with the audience. It's the most rewarding part, I guess.

Have you been asked to play at any of this Summer's festivals yet? There is a possibility that I will be out of the country promoting my album in Europe, Japan and Australia as the album is released at the same time in these territories, but if I'm around I really hope to get to a few of the fezzies!!

What's the greatest thing about being Sandi Thom? Being able to sing! And being short so I can fit in small spaces. And being related to my ma, pa, bro, gran, etc... Finally, what's the best way for fans of you and your music to keep abreast of your tours and releases? Just read my blogs! I do one every other day! x x

For more information about Sandi and her music, visit www.sandithom.com

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