KT Tunstall is coming to Cohasset

Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall burst onto the pop music scene in 2005 with her performance of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on BBC’s “Later... with Jools Holland.” It featured Tunstall “building the song” as she likes to say, using only her voice, guitar, tambourine, and looper pedal. It made her famous.

 A few months later, the third single off her debut album “Eye to the Telescope,” the buoyant “Suddenly I See,” became a major hit, and eventually found its way into several movies, most notably over the opening credits to “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006) starring Meryl Streep and Ann Hathaway.

 It was quite a heady beginning for Tunstall, and for some music fans, it may be what they still mostly know her for. But, as she agreed lightheartedly during a recent phone interview from London getting ready for her next round of performances, there is a lot more to her music than those two songs.

 “There is more; there is a lot more,” said Tunstall, who will be opening eight shows for Squeeze beginning with stops at the South Shore Music Circus on August 25, and Cape Cod Melody Tent on August 27. She also has completed six albums and is working on her seventh. She has been through a lot both personally and professionally, but she seems quite happy with the way things are working out. “Even if ‘Suddenly I See’ was I all I had, I would still be having a pretty good ride... it’s been an amazing journey.”

 “WAX” (2018), her most recent album, is the second in a trilogy based on the concepts of soul, body and mind, which suits Tunstall’s contemplative nature just fine. “It’s been phenomenal to engage my brain in a much bigger project than just one record,” said Tunstall. “KIN” (2016) was the first in the trilogy, and she is beginning work on the third, as yet unnamed installment, due for release in 2020.

 The albums have been well received by critics and audiences. Tunstall is quite happy with both, but singles out “WAX” (produced by Nick McCarthy) for it’s sound. “I am really proud of that one. It feels like the first time I have really managed to capture (the spirit) of the live shows on record. I find that very difficult to achieve, which is one of the reasons I love Jack White. His is such a master at doing that. We did it by recording in a garage with no headphones and playing live,” said Tunstall. “The River,” “The Night that Bowie Died” and “The Mountain” are three of the most popular and interesting offerings from the collection.

 Recently, Tunstall has been opening shows for artists like Hall and Oates, the Pretenders and Simple Minds, which she likes just fine. “I spent a lot of years thinking that opening wasn’t as impactful as doing your own show, but I was entirely wrong about that. It’s such an honor to be part of their show, and it is just an amazing opportunity to see how they present their music. It’s brilliant! I also have access to their lovely fans who are always so supportive,” said Tunstall.

 She is especially excited about performing with Squeeze. “They are legends and their songwriting is some of the best. I can’t wait. It will be fun to share the stage with them and also get this masterclass each night from watching their show.”

 For Tunstall, creating music, performing for and connecting with her fans is something she really enjoys, but a few years ago, while touring after the release of her “Invisible Empire//Crescent Moon” album (2013), she felt like she was ready to pack it in. “(That album) was recorded in two different sessions, and in the hinterland between the two sessions, my Dad died and I got divorced. I sold everything I owned and moved continents (from Edinburgh to Los Angeles) for this incredibly therapeutic and cathartic record making process in the middle of all this bleep that was going on in my life. Subsequently, I made a very pensive and down tempo, mellow record, which I had never done before. Touring that record was the first time I had appeared solo since I started. It was in theaters and I was wearing suits and bolo ties. It was beautiful and serene, but by the end of it I was like ‘Blankety Blank!’ I don’t want to ever tour again,” said Tunstall.

 Luckily a few months later she played a charity show where she could play a broader spectrum of songs from her catalog, and in her words, “I broke a sweat and said ‘oh blank!’ that’s all it was.’ I need to have a very physical experience. I need to mix it up and not to be doing that very sincere and earnest, low vibration stuff. For me it’s about sweating. I was going through a hard time and I needed to do some healing. Now I’m back to absolutely loving it,” said Tunstall. Expect Tunstall to “mix it up” and “break a “sweat” while opening for Squeeze at their upcoming shows. She is bringing along her trusty array of electronic gadgets including her loop pedal, which she affectionately refers to as her Wee Blankard. “I am playing solo, but It will sound like a band. I have some very cool new toys, which I do just to keep myself excited, including one where I don’t have to press anything. I just wave my hand and stuff happens. It’s like a magic trick. It’s very exciting.”

Music preview

KT Tunstall

7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the South Shore Music Circus, 130 Sohier St., Cohasset. $42.25-$111.75; 781-383-9860 or themusiccircus.org