Fun Fun Fun Fest Interview: The Secrets of St. Vincent
Sunday, November 9
Waterloo Park (403 E. 15th)
Stage One | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
[info] | [tickets]
The excitement surrounding Texan Annie Clark's solo project St. Vincent began long before the release of her debut Marry Me, thanks to the strength of a few early tracks, much blog love, and of course, a stellar live show. Clark is bringing the St. Vincent experience to Fun Fun Fun Fest this year after generally touring all over with acts including John Vanderslice and Pattern is Movement. Clark talked to us via email about her likes (tea, Phil Collins), dislikes (certain Alaskan politicians) and kept mum about the future.
How have things changed for you since the release of Marry Me in 2007?
Annie Clark: Wow, well, so much and very little at the same time. I can afford to not live with my parents, and have moved to Brooklyn....I know, I know, sooooo typical.
What's a typical day like in the life of Annie Clark? Do you still prefer to record in the late evening/wee hours of the morning?
A typical day? A typical recording day usually includes a trough of iced coffee starting at around 10 a.m., a long walk, some light reading of Naomi Klein, and then hitting the studio from noon until whenever I pass out, usually around 3 or 4 a.m.. I have been catching up on all the Woody Allen that I either haven't seen or haven't seen in a long time. Hannah and Her Sisters was Saturday, Interiors was Sunday, who knows what Monday has in store! Is this a glamorous enough answer?
At least one guy used the title track of your record to propose to his wife-to-be. Has this been a recurring theme as you tour?
It's incredibly sweet. Sometimes couples like to hold each other and sway to that slow jam. And I have heard of other people playing it at their wedding. That kind of thing is very touching to me.
I think I'll be done in early December for a Spring release. Other than that, my lips are sealed.
You did a duet with your friend Amanda Palmer on her newest album. Do you have any other collaborations in the works? Are you still playing with Sufjan Stevens or The Polyphonic Spree on occasion?
I have some collaborations in the works, but they are super top secret. I haven't played with the Spree in a long while, but I jammed it out with Sufjams in January of 2008. We also recently did a cover of Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight." Some people thought it was supposed to be sarcastic or tongue in cheek. Those people must have been unaware of our genuine love for Phil Collins.
What artist or band do you predict is going to make a big splash in 2009?
Oh gosh. I don't even know. My finger is on some kind of pulse, but not that one. Gang Gang Dance's new record is super cool.
I just learned, according to you on your MySpace, that you love tea and used to be a hair model. What's your favorite type of tea, and what does being a hair model entail?
I like Lady Grey for its light effervescence. Hair modeling is just having some salon exploit your regrettable curls in exchange for a free, regrettable haircut.
I find her noun-y, epithetical, folksy manner of speech condescending to our collective intelligence.
OMG. OMG. OMG. I love it so much. I was on tour in Baltimore with John Vanderslice last year and we ran around downtown Baltimore at 1 a.m. (bad idea) because we heard they were filming an episode of "The Wire" a few blocks away. It is pure drama. The writing. The characters. So genius.
Are you concerned about the election? You're not a fan of Sarah Palin – what's your least favorite thing about her?
I am from the school of thought that believes sentences ought to have verbs. I find her noun-y, epithetical, folksy manner of speech condescending to our collective intelligence. On a related note, I love Tina Fey.
