Quotes from Katie Melua

Throughout my 20s it was all about achieving and working as hard as possible. To the point that you don't think twice about working in a music studio with no windows from 11 to 11. And you don't bat an eyelid if you fly four times a week and do promo in a different city each time.

Queen were the first western band I got hooked on. I got a bootleg - there was hardly any legal buying of CDs in Georgia.

When the lights did come on in Georgia and the electricity did come on - you know, 'cause they did for about one hour during the day - we would watch Hollywood films and we'd listen to music from America and the West.

I'd also like to explore more of Georgia, my home country, because one day I really want to make an album that is written in the Georgian language.

I love winter. It's a beautiful time, but also a melancholic time, a reflective time, and I'd come to a point in my life where I felt I had to make certain decisions about my career.

And I did feel there was an album to be made about winter that can make you feel the way Sinatra and Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline make me feel - warm, nostalgic and comforted.

I'll go through the budgets for tours and recordings, royalty statements... You have to wise up about it a bit more.

Some of the songs are inspired by personal things that have happened. Others have been inspired by other people's stories, you know, like someone that witnesses something and so I tell the story through my own eyes. And some songs are just about how I feel about the world and others about the places that we have travelled to.

I wolf food down like you've never seen. For some reason, I have no self-control when it comes to the pace of eating.

Maybe when you're 18, 19, 20, you could have a bit of a wobble if you're going on live TV and playing guitar. But in your thirties you've got to just grow up about it.

I do tend to drape my real feelings with pretty words and different layers and stuff.

My father has been an inspiration - he instilled his work ethic without ever having to hammer it home. He was also very encouraging.

The thing about doing gigs is you make music, and then it is gone and that is being watched by thousands of people.

I started writing and recording, at a very basic level, just in my own bedroom.

I don't get to do that very often so to just have a completely free evening where your mind is relaxed enough to read a book is exquisite.

Most people in Georgia have a place in the hills for when it gets too hot in the city. We have good friends who own a place by a beautiful little river and the houses are full of hammocks.

My mother is caring and selfless, and really looks after me. When I'm touring, she still picks me up from the airport, no matter what time it is.

I used to think being in the West would be incredible and then when I was nine my parents moved us to Belfast. I was initially amazed by little things - in toyshops you could actually play with the toys, the schools were more colourful and there were so many magazines everywhere.

I wouldn't really call myself a Jazz singer I think it's offending to real Jazz singers to call me a Jazz singer.

It started in Georgia. Everyone sings there. I mean, it's all they do. So at eight, I heard a lot of Georgian singing, which is often really complicated, with seven- or eight-part harmonies.

I'd love to do a food tour of Italy but the next break I'll be having is skiing with my dad in Georgia. He's 58 and only just started skiing, so I'm looking forward to joining him on the slopes.

I have spent a long time being asked questions in interviews, so I've experienced it on the other side but I'm really not afraid to ask any question myself.

There are all these tests that are done on young kids and they all say they want to be famous but I just always felt that for my generation being famous was kind of corny and cheesy. Maybe because fame isn't something that proves you're good at something.

But I do believe in living life to the full and so I have no problems spending money on travel and holidays.