What inspires you?  

Great music, soulful people and nature, a great conversation with depth and laughter. I think you can’t underestimate having fun and connection.  

And what annoys you?  

I think the biggest thing these days for me on a daily basis is the new world and technology is a bit of a crazy maker. It feels like it takes up so much creative space, and being an artist you really need to daydream and work on your craft and reflect and get to the heart of the matter, and all the apps and phones and technology gets in the way of the freedom to be creative.  

Can you recommend an album (or song)?  

One of my favorite songs recently is Born to Love You, and the version I love is a duet with Ray LaMontange and Sierra Ferrel. The song has such a soulful and classic feel and their voices sound incredible together. When I first heard it I couldn’t stop listening to it.  

What’s the most important thing that you’ve learnt?  

I guess it is to work hard and trust in the Universe. There are no guarantees in the music business or life so you have to love what you do and to follow your heart. I have chosen to sing and write from the heart and to be brave enough to take a chance, follow my muse and travel. I have met so many incredible people all around the world and experienced some wonderful opportunities and if I had stayed home none of this would have ever happened. It is always good to see the bigger picture and try not to sweat the small stuff too much. Take the high road and move through life with ease and love. Be a giver and it will come back tenfold.  

Who do you admire?  

I really admire people who live from the heart and live for their art. I currently have real admiration for Annie Lennox. I have always been a huge fan of her singing and songs but currently she is being brave and speaking out about the tragic situation in the Middle East and speaking her truth, calling for peace. I have noticed many influential people stay quiet to protect their careers, but Annie Lennox has a strong moral compass and speaks out, like she just did at her Grammy performance. She is also one of the greatest singers in the current era.  

What do you love about where you live?  

The silver lining to Covid was I got locked down in New Zealand. I have lived in the US for 17 years and my home and life was in Nashville. However, I had been homesick for New Zealand for years and longed for the mountains and land and I missed my family terribly. So, now I actually have the best of both worlds as I have a 1950s rock’n’roll house in Nashville TN which has a home studio to record. In New Zealand, I just purchased a tiny house and have a stunning base in Wānaka. I feel so lucky to have a base in both places. 

What I love about Nashville is the MUSIC and the international music community. I have had a great career in the US and I have so many great friends and collaborators, world class musicians and players whom I work with, and I have toured opening for world stars such as Boz Scaggs, Chris Isaak, Bonnie Raitt, Tommy Emmaneul. 

In New Zealand I love being close to family and nature. During Covid I started developing a songwriting program called ‘SongCatcher’, and I love working with the kids. I love seeing them shine and glow and be amazed by their own potential. I also have a great duo with Barry Saunders, the leading man of the Warratahs, which has been such a great friendship and collaboration. We are releasing our debut single Good Miles To Go on March 1. I am enjoying the two worlds and living my best life possible for right now.  

Where/when are you happiest?  

I am always happiest when I am writing songs and in the creative flow, it doesn’t really matter where I am, if I am in touch with my heart and being creative then I am happy. I also love to perform, and when I am singing on stage with an audience that is engaged and giving me energy then I feel the connection to them and to my soul and feel completely at home. It's a true high and I know I am in the right place and doing what I love, this is when I am happiest. Creating and performing music.  

When (other than now) was the best time of your life?  

Last year was an epic year for me, I launched my Songwriting program in the Grant Hall in Parliament NZ, which was a huge achievement and produced and released music for some young talented kids. I also toured Europe and USA and opened for Boz Scaggs in the US. We played some incredible shows and it was such a great year filled with travel and excitement. It was a buzz as the past few years had been difficult with Covid. It was great to break out. 

I loved touring and then being able to come home and spend time in beautiful Central Otago. Living in Wānaka I have access to so much nature it really fills the soul. Nashville fills the soul in another way and it's so great to be surrounded by a melting pot of music. There is no place like Nashville, it is inspiring, a real music city.  

What are you looking forward to? 

I am excited to have a bunch of new songs to record. I will be in the studio in Nashville mid year and I can’t wait to start recording. It is always such a buzz to be in the studio making music.  

I think everybody should… at least once in their life.  

Have the confidence to do what you love. If there is something you have secretly dreamed about doing, give it a go. 

• Jackie Bristow shows: 

March 2: Kinross, Gibbston Valley, with Barry Saunders.  

March 16: Desert Heart Wines, Bannockburn - with Mark Punch (Nashville).  

March 17: Paddons Paddock, Wānaka, with Mark Punch and the Katrina Bristow Band.