Halifax (now Toronto) quartet Sloan have built their rep on the distinct sound of four different songwriters. Now releasing their sixth full-length, Pretty Together, the fab foursome check in.
Current fixations: The state of humanity and the complex fragility of what is to come as of Sept 11, 2001.
Mind-altering work of art: "Tall Ships" installation by Gary Hill.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why? Sloan's first show at NSCAD, Feb. 1991. Because low expectations bring few disappointments.
What has been your career high and low? Being able to make a modest living as a musician and painter is both the high and the low.
What should everyone shut up about? "Nuking" anyone or anywhere or anything. If one goes, they will all go there is no limited use. This can never happen again.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for: The Committee With the Ability To Turn Back Time.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: my ability to feel optimism.
Dislike: my problem of feeling pessimistic.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed? And have you? I don't understand the question.
When I think of Canada, I think: Relative safety and my home.
What is your vital daily ritual? Just trying to get from one day to the next with all vital organs working properly.
How do you spoil yourself? I remind myself that I am alive, in Canada, with all vital organs working properly.
What is your most memorable day job? I am still working at it.
If I wasn't a musician I would be: painting full time.
What is your greatest fear? See first answer.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? I have one it is a large acreage of land to the south of me and it is called the United States of America and, unfortunately, at the moment it is not at all well and I'm nervous about what it can do.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on? Fiona Highet.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why? To me there is no difference because I don't have to pay for either one.
Strangest brush with celebrity: I've had way better brushes with normal people celebrity is such a let down, for both sides.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Gwynne Dyer (writer, journalist, military historian). I would serve food something yummy.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead? She loves what I do now she is my biggest fan.
Illustration by Elaine Hsu
Current fixations: The state of humanity and the complex fragility of what is to come as of Sept 11, 2001.
Mind-altering work of art: "Tall Ships" installation by Gary Hill.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why? Sloan's first show at NSCAD, Feb. 1991. Because low expectations bring few disappointments.
What has been your career high and low? Being able to make a modest living as a musician and painter is both the high and the low.
What should everyone shut up about? "Nuking" anyone or anywhere or anything. If one goes, they will all go there is no limited use. This can never happen again.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for: The Committee With the Ability To Turn Back Time.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: my ability to feel optimism.
Dislike: my problem of feeling pessimistic.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed? And have you? I don't understand the question.
When I think of Canada, I think: Relative safety and my home.
What is your vital daily ritual? Just trying to get from one day to the next with all vital organs working properly.
How do you spoil yourself? I remind myself that I am alive, in Canada, with all vital organs working properly.
What is your most memorable day job? I am still working at it.
If I wasn't a musician I would be: painting full time.
What is your greatest fear? See first answer.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? I have one it is a large acreage of land to the south of me and it is called the United States of America and, unfortunately, at the moment it is not at all well and I'm nervous about what it can do.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on? Fiona Highet.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why? To me there is no difference because I don't have to pay for either one.
Strangest brush with celebrity: I've had way better brushes with normal people celebrity is such a let down, for both sides.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Gwynne Dyer (writer, journalist, military historian). I would serve food something yummy.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead? She loves what I do now she is my biggest fan.
Illustration by Elaine Hsu