Acclaimed blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor plays to a sold-out Stables this Monday night (October 19).
Discovered by Dave Stewart when she was only 16 years old, Joanne went on to release her debut album in 2009, and took the title of Best Female Vocalist at the British Blues Awards in 2010, and again in 2011.
This return Stables visit by the Brit success will see the Queen of Blues Rock pull from her current opus, The Dirty Truth, together with older material.
Tickets might be gone for the gig (although you can try for returns on 01908 280800), but you can still find out what makes Joanne tick musically, as she goes On Track with Total MK...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
That's an interesting question. I have many important musical memories.
Prince was always a favorite of mine even at a young age. I think 'Most beautiful girl in the word' was the first cassette single I brought, when I was six.
My mom was a dancer and huge fan of soul, Motown. I particularly remember dancing to The Four Tops with her and then also my dad being from the black country was always playing Slade when we would make the weekend trips over to the black country from Birmingham to visit family.
I suppose if I had to pick one I'd have to say Stevie Ray Vaughan's Pride & Joy. That was the song that made me want to buy an electric guitar.
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
Mostly digital. Not out of preference but out of convenience. I collect vinyl and that's my favorite way to listen to music, however since I spend 90% of my time travelling I end up listening to MP3's more often than not.
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'
I grew up surrounded by guitars and as I mentioned earlier I grew up in a very musical household so I think from a young age I always assumed it was what I would do.
When I started taking classical guitar lessons at eight, I though it become apparent to me that it was something I was good at and loved.
Your best on stage memory...
Too many to choose from! I love any opportunity to play.
And the worst gig you've ever done
I don't think I've had too many bad gigs, I've had some interesting ones! One on a moving train, a few boats etc
What made you take up the guitar
My father and older brother played so I grew up with it.
I applied for classical guitar lessons at my school at aged 8 and was accepted.
It was just always a passion of mine as long as I can remember.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written
Anything by Prince or the Rolling stones. Hard Times Come Again No More, Bird on a Wire and too many to name.
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
Probably Almost, Always, never, I wrote it around the time my mom was losing her long battle with cancer.
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Probably Keith Richards or Prince. I'm just a huge fan of both.
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to
I've been listening to a lot of "Americana" of late. The headstrong brothers, Jason Isbell. If you haven't heard of either, check them out.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
Not a big rap fan. Other than that not really. I have quite a broad taste.
Finally, plug the Stables show for us. What can we expect?
A good blues rock show, I love the stables. It's always a good show for us!
