K&A with Panda Su... again!

Some people are just gluttons for punishment!  Barely 7 months after I last asked Panda Su some probing questions... here, she's back for more.  She's been a busy lady since then recording the gorgeous I Begin, the follow-up to her critically-acclaimed debut Sticks and Bricks.  Without much further ado, here's Su...

Kowalskiy:  Hi Su!  How's tricks?

Su:  Hello Kowalskiy. I’m very well, thank you.

Kowalskiy:  Since the last time we spoke, you've been pretty busy.  Fancy filling us in on what you've been up to?

Su:  I spent the winter in the studio recording the new EP.  It was very cold and snowy, but it was lots of fun.

Kowalskiy:  Your new EP, I Begin, is due for release on April 18^th.  Is there a story behind it?  How does it compare to Sticks And Bricks?

Su:  Sticks and Bricks had a very simplistic approach. The four songs that featured were four of the first songs that I had ever written and I will always be proud of what was achieved, but I Begin represents a slight move in direction for me musically. As an artist, I always want to push myself creatively and the songs on I Begin allowed me to experiment with new sounds and different ways of doing things.

Kowalskiy:  Are there any launch night plans afoot, or plans to tour the EP?

Su:  We’ve just finished a ‘preview’ tour for the EP, but the official launch takes place in Dundee on April 21^st.

Kowalskiy:  What exactly is it you know that begins with "H"?

Su:  If I told you, I would have to kill you.

Kowalskiy:  Now that just makes me more curious!  What's been your highlight of the past year?

Su:  The last few years have been really busy for me and it was nice to get back into the studio and spend some time writing and recording. I also got the chance to pick up some new instruments and have been trying to learn them in time for the tour. I’ve failed miserably, but it’s a work in progress.

Kowalskiy:  It's not a secret you're close pals with Steve Mason, someone else who knows a thing or two about releasing brilliant EPs.  Can we expect a third EP from Panda Su in the future?

Su:  Definitely. Then I might release them all as a compilation. Not sure I’d get away with calling it ‘The Three EPs’ though.

Kowalskiy:  Any plans to collaborate with Steve?  What would be your ideal collaboration?

Su:  Steve’s a very busy man but we got a chance to catch up briefly over Christmas and spoke about doing some more tracks together in the future.  Boys Outside was incredible and it’s great to see him on top form. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Time now for a Kowalskiy first... guest questions from one of Su's biggest fans.  Here's Lovers Turn To Monsters, a.k.a., Kyle Wood.
 
Kyle:  As an artist, you've toured all over Europe and even stretched to gigs in America & Canada yet you only have two short EPs worth of songs.  Is that just the way the chips were played or do
 you feel that touring is infinitely more important to a band than writing and recording?
Su:  Hello Kyle. Good question.. I think writing is incredibly important but I’m very precious about the creative process and need to be in the right frame of mind. I’m also a terrible perfectionist and this means I usually start a song and then decide half way through that it isn’t good enough and throw it out. Touring is great and I really enjoy being on the road, but I’d like to spend some more time in the studio this year.

Kyle:  What do you look for in a guy?  Are you single?

Su:  Thanks for your question, Kyle. Stornoway was definitely one of our favourite places to visit on the tour. All that sea air is great for the skin!



Kowalskiy:  Oooh, how very cryptic Su.  Interpret that how you will folks!  So, is there anything else you'd like to share with us Su?

Su:  Today I learned how to blow up a balloon. It took me 23 years to learn, but worth every minute.

Talented lady!  A big thank you to Kyle for one of the most intelligent sounding questions ever in a K&A session.  As Su says, I Begin is out on Monday, though if you head over to Amazon MP3 you can get a download now.  In the meantime, you can have a wee listen here and if you're in Dundee next week then I'd strongly recommend popping along to the launch night on the 21^st at Drouthy's.  There's something quite special about Su live!