We’ve always liked Thea Gilmore who once crossed America with Joan Baez in a pre-Election campaign tour and has released 21 albums (“I’ve got musical ADHD!)”. She looks back here at the first shows she ever saw and played which involves …

… a deep dive into Jake Thackray – “Last Will And Testament still makes me cry”

… spotting her dad in the crowd in the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival movie and why “My dad treated Dave Pegg’s dog” jump-started her career…

… what Joan Baez did on their pre-Election American tour the night George W Bush won a second term

… “Thea Gilmore looks Borstal-bound”: her first review, in Mojo in 1998

… two weeks’ life-changing work experience at Fairport’s Wormwood studios

… “there’s no point writing songs if you don’t perform them”

… which are easier, small gigs or big ones?

… Ani DiFranco getting the audience to harmonise on When Doves Cry, “an epiphany”

… intense stage fright versus the “precocious teenage belief that I was interesting”

… the impact of first hearing It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

… and when someone leaving “reduces your audience by a fifth”

Tickets for Thea Gilmore’s tour here: https://www.theagilmore.net/live

Order ‘Thea Gilmore - My Own Private Riot 2008-2015,' 7CD Box Set here: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/thea-gilmore-my-own-private-riot-2008-2015-7cd-box-set

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