Catching up with Kim Churchill!

You’ve been classed as blues/folk, but your music is so much more than just that – what do you think has influenced your sound to make it stand out from contemporaries?

Anything really. I think the best way to arrive at a unique sound (and I’m not saying I have, but continue to try) is to allow every influence this world has to offer a chance within what you do. The sound of trains going by in a dodgy hotel in London, or the way a friendly French family welcomes you in for lunch. Everything has an influence on the songs and music you then let flow out of you.

What motivates you now? Has it changed at all after years of playing and having released four studio albums?

More and more it’s the way people respond that keeps me motivated. I saw a kid on the street last week busking and playing one of my songs and he was really enjoying himself and people were enjoying him too. To have played a part in that moment felt incredible and is a similar kind of ‘delayed gratification’

After going from playing guitar from such an early age to adding singing into the mix when you were a bit older, how did you go about honing your singing/songwriting skills?

Kind audiences in the beginning helped. I tackled blues music especially because it was easy to sing and I busked a lot; five or six hours a day sometimes. Eventually it began to sound okay… I just kept going really. That’s the best thing any of us can do.

Your sound has certainly grown since album #1 in 2009 – how has your style and mentality changed between your first album and now?

Yeah, certainly. I have calmed down a little. I’m not quite as frantic and desperate to impress people. The earlier albums are nice to think about because I was so charged on the liberation of leaving my small town and high school; and that’s something I’ll never have again. But a bit of maturity and, god forbid, wisdom seems to be an adequate trade.

Was it overwhelming to open for Billy Bragg? Would you count it as a highlight of your career?

Yes, definitely. He was mind-blowing, inspiring and a true gentleman. He gave me a good fan base in the US, in the UK and Europe and seemed to constantly have time for everybody. I still don’t know how he did it. I think watching him play every night was one of the most brilliant things someone such as myself could have hoped to have. He is true pro and I learnt so much.

Do you have a preference between busking or playing in bigger venues?

Yeah, probably busking to be honest. If its a nice setting with friendly people around. I mean, all the different mediums of performance are necessary to feel fulfilled as an artist but busking is a really nice one. It’s very relaxing, no pressure and no expectations. Life is so accommodating when you are expecting nothing. You normally get a tad more.

What’s something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?

Hahahaha… cool?? My cousin is an incredible soul singer fronting the Australian band, Saskwatch. She struts onto stage in her gold sequin dress looking and sounding like the next Beyonce. It blows my mind to think we used to sit in little cafes as teenagers and play covers to the back of people’s head. She is an absolute powerhouse!

You’re currently touring – what else can we expect to see from you in 2015?

I think I’d like to do a really good live album. Something that can document the whole ‘one man band’ thing that I have been doing for the last 5 years. And I’ll definitely be starting, if not finishing, the new album.