Ottawa, ON's Mike Feuerstack is the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for Snailhouse. His new album, The Opposite is Also True, is out now on his label, The Snailhouse Institute For the Recording Arts. The double CD features nine songs in complete different versions on both discs. They are currently touring Western Canada.
Current fixations:
Curtis Mayfield, the film Songs from the Second Floor, my new cat Polsuitemin.
Mind-altering work of art:
The Senegal Ballet in Montreal '96, the film My Dinner With Andre.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Jeff Buckley at a small club in Ottawa ('95 or '96). I was lucky to have been introduced to his music in that way, although it took me a while to realise it.
What has been your career high and low?
The Wooden Stars in Fredericton when we abandoned our set in order to re-enact the nativity scene (in October). That was the high and low.
What should everyone shut up about?
Extreme sports.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Peace.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: focus.
Dislike: lack of focus.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Not loving me. Luckily I haven't had to.
When I think of Canada I think:
Tough love.
What is your vital daily ritual?
At least one deep breath.
How do you spoil yourself?
I buy good food.
What was your most memorable day job?
Selling hot dogs at a festival. Any service job is hard to forget for better or for worse.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Selling hot dogs at a festival.
What is your greatest fear?
People.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Absolute forgiveness.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Sade (and I don't mean the Marquis de).
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes, I don't get paid to make music.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Making a library card for John Ralston Saul.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Captain Crunch. Captain Crunch.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Taking lessons.
Current fixations:
Curtis Mayfield, the film Songs from the Second Floor, my new cat Polsuitemin.
Mind-altering work of art:
The Senegal Ballet in Montreal '96, the film My Dinner With Andre.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Jeff Buckley at a small club in Ottawa ('95 or '96). I was lucky to have been introduced to his music in that way, although it took me a while to realise it.
What has been your career high and low?
The Wooden Stars in Fredericton when we abandoned our set in order to re-enact the nativity scene (in October). That was the high and low.
What should everyone shut up about?
Extreme sports.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Peace.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: focus.
Dislike: lack of focus.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Not loving me. Luckily I haven't had to.
When I think of Canada I think:
Tough love.
What is your vital daily ritual?
At least one deep breath.
How do you spoil yourself?
I buy good food.
What was your most memorable day job?
Selling hot dogs at a festival. Any service job is hard to forget for better or for worse.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Selling hot dogs at a festival.
What is your greatest fear?
People.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Absolute forgiveness.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Sade (and I don't mean the Marquis de).
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes, I don't get paid to make music.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Making a library card for John Ralston Saul.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Captain Crunch. Captain Crunch.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Taking lessons.
