Paul Anderson

The Exclaim! Questionnaire

BY None NonePublished Jun 1, 2002

Paul Anderson is the singer and songwriter with British pop band Tram. He currently resides in London, and is celebrating the recent release of their third album, A Kind Of Closure, on Jetset.

Current fixations:
The words and music of Nick Cave.

Mind-altering work of art:
Goudi's Sagrada Famiglia in Barcelona. I recently visited Barcelona and walked to the top of this amazing piece of architecture.

Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
The most memorable gig was probably playing in Paris, at Cafe de la Dance last year — it is such a nice venue and probably the biggest crowd we have ever played to. Also Low at Union Chapel in North London — the perfect venue for one of my favourite bands.

What has been your career high and low?
High: making A Kind Of Closure, the most fun I have ever had in a studio.
Low: having never played a gig outside Europe.

What should everyone shut up about?
Elizabeth Hurley and Victoria Beckham.

I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
Peace in Northern Ireland.

What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
Like: honesty & loyalty.
Dislike: expecting too much from people.

What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Unreliability. Flatulence. Yes.

When I think of Canada I think:
Godspeed You Black Emperor, ice hockey, Mike McShane, syrup.

What is your vital daily ritual?
Espresso.

How do you spoil yourself?
Fine wines. Fast cars. Beautiful women.

What was your most memorable day job?
I worked for one week on a delivery van for alcoholic drinks. The driver was an incredible racist. He would refuse to let me eat any "foreign food" and would only stop the van outside traditional English fish and chip shops. A very scary guy.

If I wasn't playing music I would be:
A gynaecologist.

What is your greatest fear?
Heights and loneliness.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
To repair bicycles.

What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
The weather.

Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
I have never made anyone pregnant just listening to music. Also the sound of sex isn't that appealing.

Strangest brush with celebrity:
I once had a job in a record shop and served Emo Phillips. I was determined not to laugh until I saw his picture on his credit card.

Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
I couldn't just name one person so I have named a selection of guest I would invite: Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Stephen Fry, Robbie Coltrane, Bill Hicks, Polly Harvey, Saffron Burrows, Chloe Sevigny, Rachel Weiss and Kate Moss. I would serve them sushi on a naked oriental girl.

What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
Working as a bank clerk.

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