KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she’s set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless

KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless

As a fan of Kate Voegele’s music, I find her journey to be incredibly inspiring. Her ability to transition from university music studies to creating full-scale musical arrangements showcases her versatility and commitment to her craft. It’s fascinating to see how a single song like “Suddenly I See” has played such a significant role in her career, continuing to generate income and expand her global presence.

British singer-songwriter KT Tunstall disclosed that she didn’t envision herself composing a musical, and it wasn’t until a decade ago that she watched her first theatrical performance on stage.

49-year-old, the renowned actor, has composed the music for an upcoming Clueless musical in London’s West End, set to premiere next year. This production features a new collection of ’90s-inspired tunes that are original to the show.

She’s particularly recognized for her 2004 platinum-selling album titled “Eye to the Telescope,” which includes the worldwide hit “Suddenly I See” and her straightforward personality. This is why people might find it intriguing that she’s ventured into the world of theatre.

From her residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the singer shares that she never anticipated making a career change, as she converses only with TopMob.

KT explained: ‘Oh my God, never. I didn’t even like musicals growing up.

As a child, I was fond of movies such as Oliver and Bugsy Malone, but live stage performances left me cold. I attended a handful back then and found them overly sophisticated and unconvincing.

KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless

KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless

But her view on the genre soon changed after watching one particular production.

She explained: ‘I went to see Book of Mormon and that just completely and fundamentally altered my DNA as a musician. It’s just so fun and a challenging use of song-writing.

These types of performances align perfectly with my focus on melodies, which is a skill I’m recognized for. In fact, I seem custom-made for such shows.

KT has lived across the pond for over a decade and is now an American citizen.

She says one of the reasons she swapped LA for New Mexico is because of the traffic.

KT shared: “I couldn’t reach my destination, as I attempted to attend a baseball game but ended up missing the entire event due to terrible traffic congestion.

I found myself questioning the appeal of urban life when navigating it feels like a challenge, especially since I’m more drawn to smaller communities. The charm of places like my hometown and Santa Fe appeals to me more.

The Edinburgh-born star still has a strong Scottish accent, which she’s extremely relieved about, and regularly travels back to the UK to perform, as well as work on exciting new projects such as Clueless, the most hotly anticipated West End musical of 2025, based on the 1995 movie starring Alicia Silverstone as high school student turned matchmaker Cher Horowitz. 

KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless
KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless

Glenn Stater, a renowned lyricist with a Tony Award under his belt for productions such as School of Rock, introduced her. He believed that KT’s pop-rock style, infused with the lush sound of the 90s, could create an ideal soundtrack for the production.

KT said: ‘We had this conversation about how to make the show stand out because there’s a lot of musicals these days that are based on movies.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been struck by an idea: I want to pay tribute to the unforgettable hits of the ’90s, so each song in this musical will evoke memories of those iconic ’90s mega-hits. From N*SYNC and Radiohead to Green Day, Vanessa Carlton, or even Hanson, the soundtrack is akin to the mix tape that’d be playing in Cher’s Jeep!

KT is still very much a 90s girl and admits the decade could be the last to be celebrated.

She mentioned that it’s quite popular nowadays to have a strong interest in the 90s, encompassing things such as music and style, with regard to the movie ‘Clueless’.

Reflecting on a humorous piece I came across recently, it sparked an intriguing question: “What will the style scene look like in the 2000s? What will be the fashion trend of the year 2000?” It’s always fascinating to speculate about the future of fashion!

As I reflect upon our contemporary culture, it seems we’re experiencing a nostalgic resurgence of the ’90s – a unique energy that’s hard to pinpoint but impossible to ignore. So let’s raise a glass and rejoice in the spirit of the Nineties, an era that may well be the last to possess its own distinct atmosphere.

KT shares that moving from composing songs for personal albums to working on large-scale musicals has proven a challenging journey of growth, yet she acknowledges she’s now utilizing abilities she honed during her university music education.

KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless
KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless
KT Tunstall reveals she never anticipated writing a musical and only saw her first production 10 years ago as she's set to conquer Theatreland by creating the soundtrack to West End show Clueless

She explained: ‘I studied music at university and learned it at school and it was a pain in the a**.

As a devoted enthusiast, I used to dread the theoretical aspects of my craft, but now, as I delve into grander arrangements and compositions, I find myself grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained through my studies. The ability to decipher what’s written on paper is proving invaluable, making me realize that my dedication to theory has been a significant step in my journey. In retrospect, I’m glad I pursued my theoretical education.

Opening on February 15 next year, Clueless, The Musical will take center stage at the Trafalgar Theatre! Secure your seats now by visiting CluelessOnStage.com to purchase tickets.

As a die-hard fan, I can hardly contain my excitement! It’s not just one visit to the UK for KT this time around. She’s also returning to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Eye to the Telescope by performing a string of concerts! Among these, I can’t wait to catch her at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. What a treat it will be!

Her album propelled her to fame, earning her the title of Best British Female Artist at the 2006 BRIT Awards and recognition for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for “Suddenly I See” at the 2006 Ivor Novello Awards.

Her global success was significantly boosted by the inclusion of her song in the blockbuster film The Devil Wears Prada, which starred Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. Notably, KT acknowledges that this track still provides a steady income for her.

She mentioned that when she checks her earnings from songwriting, it turns out that Suddenly I See makes up more than half of it. It’s simply mind-blowing.

That tune wasn’t just featured in the film; instead, it served as the opening theme. Moreover, it was left untouched, without any dialogues layered over it. Essentially, it played out like a music video starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.

That event significantly enhanced my visibility in the U.S., paved the way for a music career there, a challenging accomplishment indeed, and led me to Japan and South America as well. It all unfolded into something truly wonderful.

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2024-12-02 11:36

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