Canadian-born Kiwi Tami Neilson has been described as ''a red-hot honky-tonker, somewhere between Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson with perhaps just a little bit of Peggy Lee sophistication''.
Her latest album, Don't be Afraid, which has already been released in New Zealand, is being released worldwide this month. Neilson is supporting this with showcases at The Nashville Americana Fest and a Canadian tour with Royal Wood.
What was the best birthday present you ever received, and why?
My Dad restored a vintage Victrola record player that he found in a junk shop for my 17th birthday. The time, effort and weeks of work that went into it, all while keeping it a surprise - that was my Dad. He loved finding the perfect gifts, which he would hunt for all through the year for us kids and squirrel away.
What smell do you find irresistible?
New books. I love flicking the pages of a new book under my nose and just breathing it in . . . weird and geeky, but true.
What is your least favourite thing about humanity?
Lack of compassion through ignorance. Compassion eliminates all the worst kinds of evil.
What is one strong childhood memory?
I was 12 and completely obsessed with Anne of Green Gables - the books, the movies. My Dad was doing a late show at a hotel in town, and Megan Follows, the actress who plays Anne, was there. After getting home at 2am, he woke me at 7am, told me to grab my Anne movie book (yes, I had the movie book) and took me back to the hotel to wait in the lobby to meet her when she checked out. We sat there for hours together, waiting. I still have the autographed book and the photo Dad took of us.
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What colour are you, and why?
Is this a trick question to see if I'm paying attention? How much coffee have you had to drink?