THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Kasey Chambers

Award-winning Australian singer-songwriter and alt.country star Kasey Chambers has long been an Elsewhere favourite for her astute lyrics and passionate delivery, and her earthy sense of humour in person.

With her husband Shane Nicholson -- and often with her singer-songwriter dad Bill on hand (interviewed here) -- she has presented some of the most enduring country music of the past decade.

We have previously published a major profile of Kasey and Shane (here), reviewed solo albums by them (her here, him here) and Shane has also answered the Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire.

But with the release of their excellent new album Wreck and Ruin -- their second together, reviewed here -- we thought it might be time for Kasey alone to respond to the Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire. 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Lucinda Williams - my dad took me to see her when I was 14 and it changed my life

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

‘Father Abraham in Smurfland’ was my first album

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Jagger, Nirvana, Madonna, Jacko

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Stay at home mum (the only thing I know how to do apart from music)

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Tear Stained Eye – Son Volt

Irrelevant – Matthew Ryan

The Red Rose – Jill Andrews

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

AC/DC money from the Thunderstruck tour that my dad took me too.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

I don’t really read about music – I listen to it

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

John Prine

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Stand By Me

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

I still only buy CD’s. ‘Friend of a Friend’ by Dave Rawlings Machine

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

I actually have lived off ‘Not Pretty Enough’ for quite a while and I’m more than happy with that

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

‘Wreck & Ruin’ – seriously. I LOVE IT. Best album artwork ever!

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

I change my mind too often – that’s why I don’t get tattoos

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

With my kids – hanging out. My fave thing to do

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

Because it’s the latest one I’ve made. The latest one should always be the best.