This much I know: Singer-songwriter, Judie Tzuke

In conversation with Hilary Fennell

I began writing poetry, not songs.

I learned early on that I get depressed and that writing helps me to work through those feelings. I like the idea of making something positive out of that darkness.

I was a shy child, the eldest of three. I was very dyslexic, so school was a big effort. I wasn’t very academic. I went to a type of stage school. I wasn’t great at dancing or acting, as I was so self-conscious. I started singing because I had a crush on our history teacher and he was a huge Bob Dylan fan. Playing music came naturally to me.

I was absolutely terrified of being on stage. I’d love to have been able to hide behind one of the speakers. I never really overcame the fear. Some nights, the nerves got the better of me.

My first big break happened without me really noticing. I’d a massive top-20 hit in 1979, with ‘Stay With Me Till Dawn’, followed by four further singles-chart entries and seven top-40 albums. But I struggled with my career, because, near the very beginning, my sister was killed in a car accident, on the third night of my tour. We’d always planned to do my career together and it was a terrible loss.

Our family had been quite dysfunctional and I’d been very close to her.

I’ve always been an extremely emotional person. Felt like an egg without a shell, missing a protective layer. I still get very nervous about things that might go wrong, but tend to go into this misty kind of acceptance.

I’ve had years of therapy. It helped, but I don’t think it ‘fixed’ me. It did teach me how to exist.

I found out much later that I have what’s known as ‘Imposter Syndrome’ — always feeling I wasn’t good enough and that I would be found out.

It wasn’t until five years ago that I had a turning point. I’d always struggled with my weight and had just lost three-and-a-half stone and was feeling great, when, completely out of the blue, I was diagnosed with cancer. Once I’d recovered, I went back on tour too fast and went on stage with a throat infection, feeling awful. I completely froze. What saved me was the audience, singing my own songs back to me. That’s when I finally realised that people weren’t there to watch me fail, but that they quite liked me.

I chant and practice mindfulness to calm myself down.

My idea of misery would be working as a proof reader. I can’t spell.

My idea of bliss is being in studio with other musicians. I’ve been working with a lot of younger artists recently and love their lack of cynicism.

I choose to believe in angels. I don’t have a religion, but I do live a Christian life. I have to believe in a bit of magic, otherwise I would find the world too ugly.

If I could be someone else for a day, I’d be Vivien Leigh. I admire her strength.

I met my husband, Paul, through music. We were on the same label. He gave up his career to become part of mine.

Both my daughters are yoga teachers. The eldest did have a successful musical career, but, after a few difficult experiences, she decided it just wasn’t for her, at present.

The trait I most admire in others is kindness. I don’t care if that makes me sound like an old hippie, because the world is a terrifying place; without kindness, it would be unbearable.

My biggest fault is judging myself harshly in a way I don’t judge other people.

Talent is more important than ambition, but to be successful these days you’ve got to be ambitious. You can’t afford to be knocked back. Too much competition.

I’m lucky that I’m no longer of any interest to the ‘music industry’. I no longer care about how people see me. I love music and being able to write about how I feel. I just wish I didn’t have to be the one in the spotlight.

So far, life has taught me that if you find something you love to do, keep trying to do it, no matter what.

Julia Fordham, Beverley Craven, and Judie Tzuke will be taking to the stage together, performing their classic hit singles and album tracks, alongside their sensational five-piece band, on December 2 @ Vicar Street.