Simple questions often prompt interesting answers, so with this in mind I created a list of thirteen questions for a new interview series. Some of the questions I borrowed from the Proust and Pivot questionnaires, and the others are my own. The questions are meant to be fun - for the interviewee and the reader - so I cut out the ones regarding Latin grammar. Maybe next time.
Devon Sproule is in Europe promoting her new album, Keep Your Silver Shined, and despite her busy schedule, she took the time to answer my thirteen questions - fourteen, if you count my "hippie food" follow-up. Devon's answers are quirky, honest and heartfelt, just like her lyrics, and I want to wish her the best on tour.
What is your favorite book?
I'm reading Atonement by Ian McEwan...plus a Zadie Smith or two, I can't really think of a book I've enjoyed more. Guess all this time in Britain is rubbing off!
What is your favorite album?
Lordy, well...I've never been more excited about a collection of music than I am about my own Keep Your Silver Shined, given how much time and give-a-damn it occupied. But fo real? Probably Abbey Road or maybe Matt Curreri's Exercise Music for the Lonely. Both have very strong family ties - past and future (respectively).
What is your favorite film?
Five Easy Pieces. The Tammy Wynette juxtaposed (ack, I hate that word) with the Mozart and Chopin. Wonderful scenery and boatloads of interesting, believable characters...
What is your biggest pet peeve?
When my husband pretends to shoot himself in the head. The only thing that makes it bearable is when he falls back on the couch and then mimes his spirit leaving his body with a funny expression on his face.
What is your favorite place?
Besides my house in Belmont, Charlottesville, it would be Lac Tremblant, north of Montreal, Quebec -- land of Sunfishes and outboard motors, gas lamps and mosquito coils.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Oh, something unbearably cheesy like a masseuse or a yoga instructor or something.
I should have lied and said "roller-skating waitress" or something hip like that.
What is your biggest indulgence?
Wine with lunch.
What is your favorite food?
Bangers 'n mash. Just kidding. Sushi or tapas. Or hippie food, like I's raised on.
What is hippie food?
Tofu, tempeh, stir-fried veggies, nutrional yeast dressing and greenhouses full of fresh greens!
What is your favorite word?
Scone, because it is my husband's least favorite word, and I had a great time calling him an apricot one, last night on the phone, riding home from Newcastle.
What is your least favorite word?
Juxtapose. "Place side by side" my ass! That right there is why I didn't go to college.
Who do you least respect?
The lady at Ryanair who charged me 50 quid to take my guitar on board and really honestly seemed to enjoy doing it.
Who do you most respect?
My girlfriend Danele who has adrenal cancer and has outlived expectations with her goofball humor, beautiful son and girlfriend intact. And her surgeons at NIH.
When and where did you answer these questions?
It's the middle of the afternoon in Coventry, England, and I'm at my friend Rich's house. I'm having a day off between a show in Newcastle and one in Dublin. A fellow just came into the backyard (likely Rich's neighbor) and started nailing Rich's fence up, where it's sagging. I think Rich was supposed to do that, like, two years ago, and the dude doesn't look very happy. Guess I should go work some of the ol' charm on 'im...
Download:
Devon Sproule | 1340 Chesapeake St. [MP3]
Devon Sproule is in Europe promoting her new album, Keep Your Silver Shined, and despite her busy schedule, she took the time to answer my thirteen questions - fourteen, if you count my "hippie food" follow-up. Devon's answers are quirky, honest and heartfelt, just like her lyrics, and I want to wish her the best on tour.
What is your favorite book?
I'm reading Atonement by Ian McEwan...plus a Zadie Smith or two, I can't really think of a book I've enjoyed more. Guess all this time in Britain is rubbing off!
What is your favorite album?
Lordy, well...I've never been more excited about a collection of music than I am about my own Keep Your Silver Shined, given how much time and give-a-damn it occupied. But fo real? Probably Abbey Road or maybe Matt Curreri's Exercise Music for the Lonely. Both have very strong family ties - past and future (respectively).
What is your favorite film?
Five Easy Pieces. The Tammy Wynette juxtaposed (ack, I hate that word) with the Mozart and Chopin. Wonderful scenery and boatloads of interesting, believable characters...
What is your biggest pet peeve?
When my husband pretends to shoot himself in the head. The only thing that makes it bearable is when he falls back on the couch and then mimes his spirit leaving his body with a funny expression on his face.
What is your favorite place?
Besides my house in Belmont, Charlottesville, it would be Lac Tremblant, north of Montreal, Quebec -- land of Sunfishes and outboard motors, gas lamps and mosquito coils.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Oh, something unbearably cheesy like a masseuse or a yoga instructor or something.
I should have lied and said "roller-skating waitress" or something hip like that.
What is your biggest indulgence?
Wine with lunch.
What is your favorite food?
Bangers 'n mash. Just kidding. Sushi or tapas. Or hippie food, like I's raised on.
What is hippie food?
Tofu, tempeh, stir-fried veggies, nutrional yeast dressing and greenhouses full of fresh greens!
What is your favorite word?
Scone, because it is my husband's least favorite word, and I had a great time calling him an apricot one, last night on the phone, riding home from Newcastle.
What is your least favorite word?
Juxtapose. "Place side by side" my ass! That right there is why I didn't go to college.
Who do you least respect?
The lady at Ryanair who charged me 50 quid to take my guitar on board and really honestly seemed to enjoy doing it.
Who do you most respect?
My girlfriend Danele who has adrenal cancer and has outlived expectations with her goofball humor, beautiful son and girlfriend intact. And her surgeons at NIH.
When and where did you answer these questions?
It's the middle of the afternoon in Coventry, England, and I'm at my friend Rich's house. I'm having a day off between a show in Newcastle and one in Dublin. A fellow just came into the backyard (likely Rich's neighbor) and started nailing Rich's fence up, where it's sagging. I think Rich was supposed to do that, like, two years ago, and the dude doesn't look very happy. Guess I should go work some of the ol' charm on 'im...
Download:
Devon Sproule | 1340 Chesapeake St. [MP3]
