Looper pedals have become a musical cliché, sure. But, if you travel back to 2004, a young KT Tunstall perfected the tool on her way to becoming an internationally renowned artist. After gaining confidence with a career-defining performance on Later…with Jools Holland, Tunstall went on to charting around the world and gaining a Grammy nomination. As an arresting live performer, she bubbles with energy and humour, plus a decent helping of Scottish cheek (probably more than a few F bombs), winning over a large, devoted following.

Her debut album Eye To The Telescope, likely her most well-known, was a stunner containing the hits, “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Suddenly I See” and “Other Side of The World.” It didn’t end there. A curious and evolving sort, she has released seven albums since including a trilogy themed on body (KIN), mind (WAX) and soul (NUT) respectively between 2017 and 2022. She also contributed to the Neil Finn supergroup 7 Worlds Collide and has written several songs for movies. Last summer, she released an energetic collaboration with Suzy Quatro (Leather Tuscadero y’all!) called Face To Face after the two became aware they were fans of each other through a mutual friend. Throughout her career, Tunstall’s splendid, unwavering pop sensibility has permeated the guitar-driven (both types) loopiness.

— Jay Nelson