In France, I grew up with the likes of Piaf and Brel on television, radio. I have been drawn to silver screen stars and film noir since a very young age, therefore I have discovered Marlene Dietrich and Liza Minnelli through the motion picture ‘Cabaret’.

Hymne a Piaf sees you pay homage to Edith Piaf. What inspired you to create a show based on her work?

I was asked to sing Piaf in clubs in London as the audience thought that I should sing in French. I started with the song ‘La Vie en Rose’ and ‘No Regrets’ and found that her repertoire was amazingly rich and interesting.

How do you deal with inevitable comparisons between Piaf and yourself?

The comparisons are funny as the people who see me perform don't see any similarity, since I am six-foot tall and blonde.

Performing other people’s music, do you ever feel a desire to showcase your own material?

I am currently writing my own show for 2011 with original material, but also three beautiful French covers.

Hymne a Piaf takes in 22 shows over five weeks. How do you keep sane on the road?

I do! There is the odd afterparty when we leave a city, but in general I keep very fit and focused as the Piaf show is very intense and passionate. One belter after another.

To date, what would you say has been a career highlight?

The Sydney Opera House in 2007 has definitely been a huge highlight. Australia has being very good to me.

Your second album, ‘Scarlet Stories’, was recorded live at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and Hymne a Piaf marks your seventh tour down under. What is it that you love about Australia?

I love bringing my culture, and my knowledge of cabaret (as the Weimar republic cabaret) - I love to share all these beautiful stories of passion and love.

What does the future hold? Any new releases or tours we should know about?

I have released my brand new Piaf album; it was recorded in Sydney in December 2009 with both Tom O'Halloran and Jonathan Zwartz.

Caroline Nin will play The Arts Centre Gold Coast on Saturday June 19 as well as the Judith Wright Centre in Brisbane on Friday June 18.