Nell Bryden tells us what's on her rider
What's on your rider?Quality Bourbon. Clean towels. Chocolate.
What would be on your fantasy rider?Cash. Small denominations, unmarked bills, local currency.
What's your pre-gig routine?Five minutes before a gig I'm pulling out the hot rollers from my hair and wishing I'd eaten dinner sooner instead of going over time on soundcheck. I scribble out a set list right before I walk onstage.
How do you get to the gig? I prefer bus or van with driver. More often than not, though, I've driven myself in a hired car. I had to keep costs low in the years starting out, so did all the driving myself. Once I even arrived by tow-truck when the rental car broke down.
What's the best gig you've been to? I saw Grace Jones this summer. What she can do with only a hula-hoop and a spotlight is superhuman.
Ecologically, are you closer to Radiohead or Motorhead?All rockers are doomed, ecologically speaking: the carbon footprint from all the flying and driving is ridiculous.
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?Kal Penn from House. He cried during my song Green Dress.
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?I've sung countless shows stuck in a corner under a TV with one toothless guy at the bar. Humiliation and embarrassment are actually different things.
What's your crowd-pleasing number?Up-tempos like Second Time Around. Any number with vocal fireworks.
Chatting between songs – good or bad?Good if you are a good chatter. Bad if you speak in a monotone.
Groupies – would you?Nope. Skanky. Not my thing. I am single, though, and looking for a good man. Quality not quantity.
Have you a special stage wardrobe?Killer heels, a cocktail dress, some flare to put in my hair like a flower or something.
Do you like to meet and greet fans after the gig?Of course!
Any useful stage tips?Own that stage. You earned it.
What's the worst thing ever thrown at you?This question.
Who's invited to your aftershow party?You are.
See you there.
* In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea. Nell Bryden plays the Stables, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, tonight
