Al Start writes quirky songs about cross-dressing neighbours, rent boys and missing cats, inter-mingled with touching reminiscences of childhood, surreal dreams and candid confessions.

The singer songwriter first came to our attention five years ago as one half of lesbian duo Toucan, but, after setting up her own record label, recording a few albums and helping organise the women's stage at Brighton Pride, she’s back with a new CD, Go (voted the no.2 best album of the year by Diva magazine), and a winter tour alongside Belinda O'Hooley.

We caught up with the singer to find out more…

Your latest album was released last month. What can we expect?
Go is a collection of eleven fine songs in the true singer songwriter genre with lovely production and plenty of great musicians playing alongside me. Think k.d. lang and KT Tunstall’s love child!

It’s a mix of raw acoustic gutsyness and smooth, soulful vocals. Lots of Joni Mitchelle–esque story-telling. I’m very proud of it - can you tell?

How would you describe your musical style?
Indie-acoustic. Which means rootsy acoustic with the twist of a quirky indie ‘left-of-centre’ sound.

What's your favourite song on Go?
I’ve got a few favourites. ‘Stickleback’ makes me smile. It’s a true story, and the way it came out on the album really tells it how I wanted. I also love ‘Tongue Tied’, with its twist halfway through, and ‘4 Grey Cats’ has gone down really well on the radio.

What is it about Go that you're most proud of?
It’s the best thing I’ve ever made. Working with producer Tracey Field gave me access to technical and musical possibilities that have given each song its own potential. I mean, when I write a song I have loads of ideas in my head, like drums, programming and the noises particular instruments make. Obviously I can’t play every instrument myself, and, as a writer, I’m not that techy and don’t always know how to create the sounds I’m hearing. So Tracey would interpret the things I was squawking at her. The results are just great.
 
You’re touring the UK throughout November. Tell us a bit about it.
I’m touring the UK with Belinda O’Hooley, another singer songwriter I met playing at Brighton Pride last year. She’s a pianist with a great style, very different to me, but our music really complements each other. We toured in June with Nat Ripepi, an Aussie songwriter, as a showcase for female artists and had such a good time we’re doing it again!

This tour takes us to Scotland, Wales and throughout England. We’re playing some lovely venues and have caught the attention of the media, so we have a lot more support this time – it’s very exciting!

Why do you think lesbians love female singer songwriters so much?
Because they rock! What better thing is there than an amazing woman singing her heart out about love, life and everything in between?

Who were the musical influences that shaped your style?
I took up the guitar when I was about twelve and taught myself from books like the Beatles Compendium which is simple, but cleverly structured songwriting. I learnt about harmony from Simon and Garfunkel, while Joni Mitchell told intricate stories and played her guitar in strange tunings. And Joan Armatrading could sure play her guitar! I then discovered The Smiths, and that’s where I picked up the Indie, quirky thing. Quite a mix really.

How does your sexuality influence your work?
The same as how it affects everyone’s life; you see everything from the gay point of view! I mean, we all have some kind of struggle that I don’t believe straight people have to go through, and this forms us into incredible individuals. We have amazing empathy, understanding and integrity. I use these tools in my songwriting. I see through gay coloured spectacles!

Do you think it’s important for the gay community to see itself represented by out artists?
Yes. You only have to look at the small handful of out artists that the gay community have jumped onto to see how much we want them - sometimes regardless of talent!

I think the gay community is crying out for more ‘role models’ if you like. It gives a minority group identity and validates our life choices in a very subtle way. It makes you feel proud when you see someone out and proudly going about what they do so well.

It’s also important for me as an out, gay artist to be supported, but not pigeonholed, by my community, or, more likely, by the straight community. I am very proud of my community and my sexuality but I don’t want to be kept in a little gay box with a gay label on it.

I’m not a cabaret performer with only gay material; I write about all sorts of things.

Do you think it’s important to make it on the gay musical scene?
Yes – if your own grass roots audience don’t like you, you know you’re doomed!
 
You were named as one of Diva magazine’s top 5 singers. How did that make you feel?
Absolutely brilliant. Yay! ‘At last,’ I thought. I’ve had to work really hard to get there, but that’s ok as they ain’t seen nothing yet. I’m gonna get on the cover of the magazine if it kills me!

So how would you describe yourself in a personals ad?
Ha. Silly old sod seeks same!

What’s the theme tune of your life?
Hmmm…I don’t think I’ve written it yet!

And the worst song ever written?
Oh, probably one of my own earlier songs! I had a brush with the church when I was growing up and wrote a few cheesy numbers praising the lord! There might have been weeping willows and a stream mentioned too…

And finally (!) what's next for Al Start?
Big exciting adventures. I’m going to tour Europe and East Coast America next year and be all over your telly-box before you can say, ‘Darling, is that k.d. lang in jeans?’

Read our review of Go.

Al Start On Tour
Al Start joins forces with fellow dyke singer Belinda O'Hooley for an acoustic winter tour in November and December. Their latest CDs, Music Is My Silence and Go, were voted no.1 and no.2 best albums of the year by Diva magazine.

You can get hold of a copy of Go, by visiting Al Start’s website at www.alstart.co.uk.

BATH, Porter (01225 424104): Tue 8 November
BRIGHTON, Komedia (01273 647100): Wed 9 November
ABERDEEN, Lemon Tree (01224 642230): Fri 11 November
LIVERPOOL, Carling Academy (0151 2336753): Sat 12 November
POOLE, Mr Kyp's (01202 748945): Tue 15 November
GLASGOW, Glasgay! Tron Theatre, (0141 5524267): Thu 17 November
EDINBURGH, Sala Café (0131 4787069): Fri 18 November
LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club (01484 460839): Sat 19 November
BRADFORD, Love Apple Café (01274 744075): Sun 20 November
LONDON, Troubadour Club (020 73416321): Tue 22 November
HUDDERSFIELD, Bar 1 Twenty (01484 460839): Thu 24 November
BIRMINGHAM, Glee Club (0870 2415093): Thu 1 December
MACHNYLLETH, Ye Tabernacle (01654 703355): Sat 3 December
MANCHESTER, Life Café (0161 8333000): Tue 6 December
HARTLEPOOL, Studio (01429 424440): Wed 7 December
HEBDEN BRIDGE, Trades Club (01422 845265): Thu 15 December

Get Belinda O'Hooley's CD Music Is My Silence. Buy the CD online and save money to put towards  Life Changes Everything Changes Life by Rachel Mari Kimber.