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 others are my own. The questions are meant to be fun—for the interviewee and the reader—so I cut out the ones regarding trigonometry and transcendental literature. Maybe next time.
Constant readers know I enjoy Eilen Jewell's music from my reviews of Letters From Sinners & Strangers and Boundary County, so I was happy when Eilen's "13 Questions" email popped into my inbox last night. Her answers include James Joyce, "sword-wielding men" and a proof-reading cat—who could ask for more?
What is your favorite book?
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce. I love that it takes place in Ireland. I feel like I've been there just from reading this book repeatedly. It's rainy and gloomy and deals with the struggle both of becoming an artist and of coming to terms with yourself in the world. And Joyce's writing is brilliant.
What is your favorite album?
Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Records Collection. Though this isn't technically an album and is more like a greatest hits compilation, I have to say it's my favorite anyway. I'd rather listen to this than just about anything. Plus it has sentimental value because I co-opted it from my dad's record collection when I was about 15, leading me to my love of early blues music.
What is your favorite film?
The Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa. I love a good epic, and I'm fascinated by Japanese culture. Plus, there's swords! What other opportunities are there for watching sword-wielding men with ponytails for three and a half hours straight?
What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people make mouth noises while they eat. Man, that's gross! Sometimes I have to quickly excuse myself from the table in order to avoid a confrontation about it.
What is your favorite place?
Idaho. It's really beautiful in a lot of different ways: desert, mountains, rainforest, farmland....It's my biggest source of inspiration and my home, although there's no telling when I'll get to live there again. I also love the fact that it's America's best-kept secret, so I guess I'd better quit singing its praises so much.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Pediatric nursing. I love kids and feel like I could be happy helping sick children get better. I'm not sure I could deal with a hospital environment, though, and I have some qualms about western medicine. But I could see myself going to nursing school and giving the whole thing a try, if music doesn't work out for some reason (God forbid).
What is your biggest indulgence?
That would be a three-way tie between alcohol, caffeine and oversleeping.
What is your favorite food?
Burritos, because they're a perfect food. They've got protein, vegetables and grains, and they're a self-contained little package. What's not to love?
What is your favorite word?
"Aardvark," because of the double "a" at the beginning and because aardvarks are so odd.
What is your least favorite word?
"Cunt," though you might not be willing to print that. When used in a derogatory way I'd say it has to be one of the most offensive words there is. My least favorite, printable word would probably be "phlegm." It doesn't look good or sound good and the substance that it represents is pretty unpleasant.
Who do you least respect?
Adolf Hitler, for obvious reasons. I don't dig on the whole hate thing. And to me he embodies an "us versus them" mentality inherent in extreme patriotism. I find that repulsive. Our current president has similar qualities but Hitler is arguably a more extreme case.
Who do you most respect?
Mahatma Ghandi, because he was a rare bird: brilliant, compassionate, and charismatic. By leading India in a non-violent revolution for independence he paved the way for the civil rights movement in this country. He was one of the main sources of inspiration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I also love the fact that he was small in stature but accomplished such great things. We smaller people have to remember that.
When and where did you answer these questions?
At home in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon and Wednesday evening. My cat helped by lending his proof-reading services and moral support.
Download:
Eilen Jewell | If You Catch Me Stealing (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | High Shelf Booze (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | Heartache Boulevard (Edit) [MP3]
Constant readers know I enjoy Eilen Jewell's music from my reviews of Letters From Sinners & Strangers and Boundary County, so I was happy when Eilen's "13 Questions" email popped into my inbox last night. Her answers include James Joyce, "sword-wielding men" and a proof-reading cat—who could ask for more?
What is your favorite book?
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by James Joyce. I love that it takes place in Ireland. I feel like I've been there just from reading this book repeatedly. It's rainy and gloomy and deals with the struggle both of becoming an artist and of coming to terms with yourself in the world. And Joyce's writing is brilliant.
What is your favorite album?
Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Records Collection. Though this isn't technically an album and is more like a greatest hits compilation, I have to say it's my favorite anyway. I'd rather listen to this than just about anything. Plus it has sentimental value because I co-opted it from my dad's record collection when I was about 15, leading me to my love of early blues music.
What is your favorite film?
The Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa. I love a good epic, and I'm fascinated by Japanese culture. Plus, there's swords! What other opportunities are there for watching sword-wielding men with ponytails for three and a half hours straight?
What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people make mouth noises while they eat. Man, that's gross! Sometimes I have to quickly excuse myself from the table in order to avoid a confrontation about it.
What is your favorite place?
Idaho. It's really beautiful in a lot of different ways: desert, mountains, rainforest, farmland....It's my biggest source of inspiration and my home, although there's no telling when I'll get to live there again. I also love the fact that it's America's best-kept secret, so I guess I'd better quit singing its praises so much.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Pediatric nursing. I love kids and feel like I could be happy helping sick children get better. I'm not sure I could deal with a hospital environment, though, and I have some qualms about western medicine. But I could see myself going to nursing school and giving the whole thing a try, if music doesn't work out for some reason (God forbid).
What is your biggest indulgence?
That would be a three-way tie between alcohol, caffeine and oversleeping.
What is your favorite food?
Burritos, because they're a perfect food. They've got protein, vegetables and grains, and they're a self-contained little package. What's not to love?
What is your favorite word?
"Aardvark," because of the double "a" at the beginning and because aardvarks are so odd.
What is your least favorite word?
"Cunt," though you might not be willing to print that. When used in a derogatory way I'd say it has to be one of the most offensive words there is. My least favorite, printable word would probably be "phlegm." It doesn't look good or sound good and the substance that it represents is pretty unpleasant.
Who do you least respect?
Adolf Hitler, for obvious reasons. I don't dig on the whole hate thing. And to me he embodies an "us versus them" mentality inherent in extreme patriotism. I find that repulsive. Our current president has similar qualities but Hitler is arguably a more extreme case.
Who do you most respect?
Mahatma Ghandi, because he was a rare bird: brilliant, compassionate, and charismatic. By leading India in a non-violent revolution for independence he paved the way for the civil rights movement in this country. He was one of the main sources of inspiration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I also love the fact that he was small in stature but accomplished such great things. We smaller people have to remember that.
When and where did you answer these questions?
At home in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon and Wednesday evening. My cat helped by lending his proof-reading services and moral support.
Download:
Eilen Jewell | If You Catch Me Stealing (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | High Shelf Booze (Edit) [MP3]
Eilen Jewell | Heartache Boulevard (Edit) [MP3]
