By: Lidia Vila

Congratulations on you signing with Arts & Crafts. How did it happen? What does this mean for you now?

Well, I’ve had a close connection to that label for a couple years. Kevin Drew has always been a huge supporter and a few years ago I made guest appearances with Broken Social Scene quite frequently. So, I’ve been around that band and the label, and since my last label Three Gut dissolved, I needed a new home; and they stepped up. They just loved the album and it was the right time to work together.

What do you think the main difference is between DIY artists and label artists?

Keep in mind this label deal is brand new. I made the album with no label support or funds, and no idea of what or who would put it out. So, in that sense, the creation of it is completely DIY. The term ‘label’ means many things. Three Gut Rrecords was a label, but a completely independent one, with zero money or funds.

For me, a label is a support system, a way to distribute some of the weight. Now, instead of taking care of every single aspect of every minute detail, I can focus more on working out the live show for example, putting a band together, continuing to be creative and know that other important jobs are being taken care of by someone else.

You mentioned on your myspace blog, August 6, 2008: “We will play with our new guitarist. So now we are three. Soon we will be four!” Who is your new guitarist and who is the fourth member?

Our new guitarist is a friend of my drummer Greg Millson. They both play in the Hilozoists together. His name is Francois and he speaks French and is a genius musician. The three of us are developing the live show together.

The fourth member will play keyboards and sing and preferably will be a girl.

How do you feel you’ve progressed through all your musical transitions to the place you’re in now?

It’s changing all the time. My voice has changed immensely since I started singing in bands. I’ve also been playing with Greg on drums for about seven years now, so it’s interesting to have a solid connection to the rhythm. The drums play much more of a distinct role on this album. The songwriting just evolves. Lately, I’m more open to experimenting, using other input and also co-writers; ripping songs apart and gluing them back together.

After having toured with Stars and Broken Social Scene, what did you learn from this experience?

I learned how to drink! Ha. I learned more than anything that I would love to be in a full band. Opening for those bands solo each night and then watching what they can all do together…it’s just lonely solo. We all have the same sensibilities about performing, putting on a show.  People are paying to watch you, you better make it worth their while.  Just conveying the albums live. I mean I didn’t make them solo, so why perform them that way?

What was playing a cameo role called “The Albino” in John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus like? Do you plan on adding acting to your repertoire?

I’m speechless.

Well acting has actually been in my life since childhood. It was just always something I did, and something I wanted to be. Of course I know now I could never do it professionally, but in the last few years I’ve done theatre in Toronto and New York, and tiny roles in friends films.  I’ll do whatever people ask me to.

What advice do you have for new artists? What mistakes would you advise them against making?

I’m the worst advice giver. Especially when it comes to dating. Seriously, no advice. There are no rules anymore. Just be genuine and persistent and have no expectations. Love what you’re doing everyday.

You state on your myspace blog August 06, 2008 you’ll be releasing “some music in various forms this fall.” What does various forms mean?

We’ll release a “best of’ E.P.” in the fall in the U.S. and a 7″ in the fall in Canada and U.S. with a song from our new album and a song we left off our new album. It’ll look and sound pretty I’m sure!

This entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm.