Delta dream

Are you really called Delta?

MY name’s Katie Foulkes, and that’s how I always introduced myself, but people started calling me Delta so I went with that. It’s just easier, really.

In terms of where my name comes from, I had two gigs booked in Liverpool, at a place called The Picket, and at the time I didn’t write my own songs, I was just doing covers of old delta blues songs, and needed a name. It kind of stuck.

When did you get involved in music?

I used to have piano lessons when I younger, but because I hated practising my mum said she’d stop paying for them. I was learning stuff I didn’t like, and much preferred listening to the radio and picking things up that way. I was late going to the guitar, really, about 17 or 18. My brother plays, about ten times better than I do, so he plays with me on stage as well.

Were you playing with other musicians in Liverpool?

I was just playing for myself in my bedroom before my mum made me do this charity show. I was never part of any scene in Liverpool, and no one really knew who I was or was doing anything similar to me. I actually played a lot more gigs in Manchester when I was first starting out in 2008. I did a lot of open mic and singer-songwriter nights.

Had you always dreamed of being a singer?

I had, but I’d kind of decided that it was never going to happen for me. I always loved singing, but didn’t think I could make it unless I started writing, and in fact it didn’t. People told me to go on The X Factor, but I never saw the point. I had a decent voice and could play a few tunes, but I wasn’t complete. I want to be me, and be in the realm of all the singer-songwriters that have inspired me. The X Factor just moulds people.

Are you looking forward to the tour?

I can’t wait, yeah. I’ve done a fair few support tours and things, but never headlined all my own shows before, so I can’t wait to get out there. It’s a massive new experience, and getting people to come and see just me is really exciting, and more relaxing that a support slot too.

A lot has been made of your fascination with blues music, such as a young girl could never enjoy it. do you think it’s odd?

Yes, definitely. People are surprised when I say I love blues, but I don’t get why. My mum and dad were always into electric blues, like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt, and they were always buying imports. I remember them coming back with Rory Block, Best Blues And Originals, and because it was a woman on the cover, and nondescript, I took it with me on holiday. I listened to nothing else for two weeks, and then went about searching out all the original artists.

Have you always sung in the same way?

Yes, I have. It’s becoming a bit of a bugbear now when people are starting to say that I’m doing an impersonation or my songs are imitations. I only know how to sing one way, and I can’t make any excuses. I sing with an American accent, but most artists do, but I’m not trying to imitate anyone.

You trained to be a vascular scientist?

Yes, I got a degree in biology, then did 18 months of my training to be a vascular scientist. It takes three years to complete, but halfway through I was spotted by my publishing company, and there was no question about what I was going to do. I enjoyed it, and my job would’ve mainly been diagnosing vascular disease using ultrasound, so it was always varied, but I don’t miss it now I’m doing music.

Do you have the blues yourself?

I’m not sure, really. I would say I’m a deep thinker and things affect me, but then put that next to what the blues musicians were going through in the Thirties and there just isn’t a comparison. I’m very wary of even saying that. I come from a good family and have good friends, but things get me down the same as anyone else.

• Delta Maid’s debut UK headline tour takes in The Basement at City Screen, York on May 18 and Newcastle/Gateshead’s Evolution Weekender Festival on May 29