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Interview with Sara Quin - Nov 19, 2007

Email interview done on November 19, 2007 with Sara Quin for TeganandSaraFans.com - enjoy!

Ashley: You're both so talented and very driven to excel in your passion/career in music. You always set the bar higher with each new album and embark on bigger tours. After 10 years in the industry, what is your biggest goal at the moment?

Sara: I have so many short term and long term goals. Our parents were always stressing the "big picture". I worry about the music industry and how a band like us will find security both financially and artistically. We're in a very lucky position right now to be making music and art and videos, etc. on our own terms without the interference of others. We also don't worry about record sales because our main source of income comes from being a touring band. However, I can't imagine touring this much for the rest of my life.

I'd also like to get my drivers license and knit a balaclava.

Ashley: Do you think it's harder in the US for a black man (Obama) to get elected president or a woman (Clinton)? I think it would be harder for Hillary to get elected because I think people in the US have a huge issue with trusting/being able to rely on women who are in positions of authority. Sexism is a bigger problem in the US than racism, but it's not talked about or addressed nearly as often or with as much fervor. (Question credit to amyotter on LJ)

Sara: I don't know if I agree. I actually think that Obama would have a far more difficult time. I do think that sexism is epidemic and certainly institutional in our culture. However, I think that racism really stems from deep fear and intolerance. It's a sticky situation. I would love to see either of them as president. It would be incredible either way.

Ashley: Tegan, how did you feel when you heard about the racist comments The Dog made recently?

Sara: Tegan, (and all of us who support Tegan) felt extremely disappointed and upset at DOG.

Ashley: Will the new EP be released physically too, or just digitally?

Sara: Right now there are only plans to release it digitally.

Ashley: What are your "dream collaborations" - you've both worked with a lot of different musicians already, if you could pick ANYONE, who would it be?

Sara: I personally would love to work with Chris Walla and Jason Mcgerr again! That would be my dream collaboration right now! I really loved the experience of making The Con. And I would hate to think that we wouldn't have another shot at making another album with them.

Ashley: What's your writing process like? Do you usually write your lyrics first and then music to fit it or the opposite, or another way?

Sara: I personally write music first. Usually a guitar riff of some sort and then additional little melodies with an electric. With most of the songs on The Con I would then add bass and keyboard, and sometimes even some percussion. THEN I would remove the guitars and write a melody for the chorus. Then I would write lyrics for the chorus, add background vocals and further instrumentation. Once that was done if I liked the song and its direction I would write lyrics for the verse and start hammering out a verse melody.

Ashley: What's the most interesting thing you've learned this week?

Sara: I learned how to knit! My cousin, Talia, showed me backstage at the Atlanta show. I was never very good at learning from a book, and she was a very patient teacher!

Ashley: Sara, what's one quality of Tegan's that you wish you had? Tegan, what's one quality of Sara's that you wish you had?

Sara: I like that Tegan is able to write a song and have closure with it once her ideas are on tape. I really obsess over details and find myself unable to detach from songs for weeks! It's what slows my creative process down.

Ashley: Are there any old songs (or demos) you'd like to go back and rerecord/release?

Sara: I plan to record an album of our old songs. Songs from when we were 15-18. Some of them are really interesting, but they would need a lot of work. So when I have some time off, I might dig into that project. I meant to do it when we were taking time off to write The Con but it never panned out.

Ashley: Sara, feel free to not answer this because your personal life is none of our business, but an article was published a couple weeks ago where you talked openly about your relationship with Emy and implied that it had come to an end... is that true? Or possibly just a journalist twisting your words? Her style is really important, I think, to the branding of your band... I just love how it fits so well with your tastes and the music you're making. Is she still going to be involved with future Tegan and Sara artwork?

Sara: Yes we have decided to take a break. And yes she will continue to be involved in our career! Our collaboration on art and visuals was an amazing part of my life for the past five years, and it would be very difficult to lose that. So we are working hard at being art partners.

Ashley: Do you think you'll live in Vancouver and Montreal for the rest of your lives? If not, where else would you be interested in living?

Sara: I have no idea! I love Montreal so much. I own a place there and so I feel quite content to call it home for now. But I think I see myself eventually heading back out West to be closer to my family.

Ashley: Often times I hear a song and I think "God I wish I wrote that!" - what songs do you love that you wish you had written?

Sara: Oh dear that happens to me ALL the time. One song I wish I had written... I wish I had written "When You Were Mine" by Prince.

Ashley: We would all just like to thank you so much for always being so interactive with your fans, being so accessible, the hilarious onstage banter, making music we can relate to that helps us get through our own feelings, releasing bsides and funny videos... all of that isn't typical of musicians and you should both know that we appreciate it so much. See you at the show; have a great day ladies! :)

Sara: YOU ARE WELCOME! THANK YOU!

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Interview with Sara Quin - Nov 19, 2007