Laura Smith

The Exclaim! Questionnaire

BY None NonePublished Mar 1, 2002

Current fixations:
Fantasising about not getting a job next term and taking off across the country for no reason at all. Buying Joel Plaskett's 69 Parisienne; On the Road by Jack Kerouac. Getting the hell out of Ottawa and back to Waterloo.

Mind-altering work of art:
Thrush Hermit's video for "Patriot."

Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Julie Doiron at the Jon Claytor art opening at Jane Bond in Waterloo. It's such an intimate setting and she is such an intimate performer. His paintings made me want to draw again. Her music made me want to sing. I hit my head on the bar but I didn't mind.

What has been your career high and low?
Low: not being allowed join the school band in grade eight.
High: my participation in a flawless four-part rendition of "Wannabe" at my local karaoke bar. Ziga-Zig-Ha.

What should everyone shut up about?
"Terrorists," "security," "defence"... those words are quickly losing meaning.

I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Public schools and literacy programs.

What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: my ability to remember countless song lyrics.
Dislike: My inability to remember half of what I've read and heard at university.

What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Smoking, and not appreciating Eric's Trip. No, not yet, so far we are in sync.

When I think of Canada I think:
Home.

What is your vital daily ritual?
A cup of tea first thing.

How do you spoil yourself?
Rocky Road brownies and new paint brushes.

What was your most memorable day job?
This one. My last day's Friday.

If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Starting a commune.

What is your greatest fear?
Never having another original thought. Not being allowed to be independent.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation... is that a super-power?

What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Martin Tielli's voice.

Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Not where Martin Tielli's voice is concerned. See "Shaved Head" or "Mid-winter's Night Dream."

Strangest brush with celebrity:
My sister and I were at a Beck concert in T.O. We saw Chris Murphy, but the best part was when she went up to this guy and as a joke asked him if he was "That dude from Moxy Fruvous?" He was, and now she has "that dude's" autograph.

Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Mordecai Richler, and I'd give him mashed potatoes and steak.

What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Having a plan besides staying in school for the rest of my life. Though I am sure she wouldn't mind if I did.

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