Diane Birch Readies Solo Tour, Talks Debut CD

When Diane Birch was asked to be the opening act on Nick Jonas’ first solo tour, she was skeptical about the teen heartthrob’s wild fans.

“They’re not going to get it. They’re going to think like, ‘What is this weird music? Like am I at my grandparent’s house or something?’“ she thought.

But Birch, 27, quickly realized Jonas’ fans could vibe to her old-school flavored pop formula.

“I was really impressed with just the kind of the sophistication of their ears in a lot of ways,” she said.

Photo: AP Photo

Now Birch, who released her debut CD Bible Belt last June, will embark on her own tour. It kicks off on May 12 in Los Angeles and wraps on June 10 at the in Tennessee.

“Oh, very personal. Very personal,” she says of the songs she’ll perform from her album.

The album’s lead single, “Nothing But a Miracle,” deals with her apprehension about relationships. The piano-playing singer says she’s spent six months to a year in a dead-end relationship.

“I’ve definitely been in a relationship where you’re kind of going through the emotions,” she said. “It’s something that a lot of people can relate too.”

Birch, who has been likened to artists like Amy Winehouse and Duffy, says she appreciates the comparisons, but doesn’t really understand it.

“I always find it a bit weird ‘cause I don’t think I sound anything like either of them so that part’s always funny to me,” she said.

“I hear Norah Jones sometimes and I don’t understand. I think we have brown hair and play piano and that is definitely one similarity. I just think it’s funny, people need a point of reference so, it’s definitely flattering,” she added.