So if you've been paying attention at all you know that I have been trying to get an interview with Tegan or Sara for a while now. Seven months and a billion emails later, I DID IT, or rather their manager took pity on me and did it! I was told they didn't have time for blog interviews (blame Australia...) but one of them could probably answer 5 questions for me. So I narrowed down my 15 questions accordingly. The fact that Tegan took time out to do this is just a testament to her and Sara's devotion to their fans (they know I don't work for a publication). I hope you guys enjoy this. I really asked what I thought were the best 5 questions you could ask Tegan or Sara Quin, if told you could ONLY ask Tegan or Sara Quin 5 questions.
July 18th is the 10-year anniversary of the release of ‘This Business of Art’ (first Vapor release). You guys seem to have had a well crafted career; from the way in which you’ve marketed yourselves to the way you’ve essentially built your own fan base. Is the successful career you have now the result of some sort of 10-year plan?
When we started out 12 years ago we decided not to try and sign to a major label and instead focus on trying to find a partner to make records with. Vapor came into our sights and reassured us of that goal. Ultimately Sara and I were striving for longevity and creative ownership rather than fame and fortune. Since then, over the past 5 records with them we have continued to focus on that rather than how to become more famous or make more money. Although those things are important and definitely play into our day to day decisions when we look long term and think big picture, its always about HOW to stay creative for as long as possible!
If you were an only child or didn’t have a sibling that wanted to make music do you think you would have pursued a music career?
Oh wow, I have no idea. Its hard to say. We have always written alone and we definitely didn't always want to do this growing up. Even once we started making records and touring professionally we have had differences in opinion about how serious to take what we do and how long we'll both agree to doing it. I think that we both have grown to love music and our career so much that no matter what we do it will always be somewhat related to this industry and being creative. But its hard to say what we would have done different 15 years ago had we not had one another. I have no idea.
You guys have been doing a ton of in-stores and acoustic sessions. Is this done as a way to stay connected with fans as your main shows get bigger? Is this something you think you will always try to make time for?
You hit the nail on the head. Sara and I are trying to do more instores, radio performances for contest winners and fans as well as book acoustic shows when we can as an attempt to get back to our roots and connect with our very loyal and devoted fan base. We love that our band is getting more popular and doing so well but as the shows get bigger we miss the intimacy of our former days and so we are trying to balance that out with some more intimate gigs. And its working!
You have one record left with Warner. I’ve read that it wasn’t your choice to be on a major label so my question is do you see the end of the contract as an end of something, or as a chance to be free to pursue other things?
Its hard to say. I have nothing against major labels personally. I think they play an important role in spreading the word about a band. Our band has benefited greatly from being on Warner. BUT when we finished The Con we were DONE! It was 10 years later and we were about to become free agents. Mainly we were excited about this because we knew The Con was going to be very successful and we were looking forward to renegotiating a record deal that would give Sara and I ownership over our masters. When Sanctuary closed its doors, our catalogue and US went up for sale. Warner became our owner. And while they are a great owner and home for T+S, it meant we had to renegotiate sooner and so we now have to make 2 more records [after The Con] and not retain ownership. Which sucks. Hopefully we are able to stay at Warner or find a home for T+S soon when our deal is up that WILL allow us to finally be owners of our own music. Fingers crossed.
Both of you have talked about how you’re interested in other areas of the music industry aside from making music. You have both produced on other records and Sara has done A&R for An Horse. You’ve also steered much of your own career through smart marketing. With all this knowledge and skill under your belt I have to ask: Do either of you think you would ever start your own independent record label or production company?
I think that Sara and I both have an open mind when it comes to what we do next or what we do to fill the time off between tours and records. We're definitely both taking the opportunities that come our way and we're exploring and experimenting with different paths. Right now I have no ambition to be a record label or an A&R. The industry is changing so fast and I really don't think I'd do a better job than the one being done. But I do hope to always have a job in this industry. I think next I'm going to do some song writing with other artists. That seems to be where my instincts are pulling me!
LINKS!!!
Hesta Prynn (or as I like to refer to her: Coolest Person Alive), is almost set to release her debut full-length record. I had a chance to get some details from her about the upcoming release. She also talks about working with Chuck Brody, Playboy, and Sara Quin.
I have to ask you about your name. I LOVE it and I've always wondered where it came from. I was discussing it with a friend who told me about The Scarlet Letter, a famous novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The main character is named Hester Prynne, is there any relation?
Yes when we decided to form Northern State I was really drunk and the first thing I said is "let's not name it something over the top feminist like Hesta Prynn" (which was me making a hip hop joke about Hester Prynne) and it stuck.
You are not signed to a label correct? Not unlike a lot of artists/bands I listen to. As long as artists are able to get fans out to shows and sell merch, such as you've been able to do, is there a need for label support?
I'm not signed to a label yet but I will be pretty soon. Even then though I really like having fans involved in my music. As an artist you really work for your fans, not your label and I like making them feel involved and part of my project because ultimately it's all for them.
On the material you released with Northern State there were political and feminist themes. What are some themes covered in your upcoming record?
My new album has political and feminist themes still but they're not as overt. I'm really experimenting musically and I think the main theme of this record is about blending genres - live drums vs programmed drums, vocals vs bass, modern vs vintage. The theme of this record is less lyrical and more musical.
The first single off your record, "Can We Go Wrong", is being called "electro pop". I'd say it's a fitting description. It's very high energy, an awesome dance track. Is this the overall feel of the record?
The record is very energetic and all of the songs have pop structure but even on that song there are live drums and lots of live instruments - even the vocal effects were done with a space echo which is a vintage analogue delay machine so even tho it sounds "electro" it's actually quite live.
Is the team that you worked with on the 'Civil Sheppard' EP the same one you worked with on the full-length?
It's basically the same group but it's expanding to include more and more people. More talented and exciting artists get in touch weekly so there's a lot of people I hope to collaborate with.
I know you and Chuck Brody have a long history. He's produced so many great records. He's worked with Ra Ra Riot, Lykke Li, You Say Party We Say Die - the list just goes on. What is it like working with him?
We basically fight and make everyone else feel awkward! Just kidding (kinda). We have similar taste but come at everything from completely opposite sides. We meet in the middle on everything and that middle ground is where all the dopest stuff comes from. Lots of bickering but we both know we've kind of found our life writing partner. I'm REALLY lucky about that even tho he drives me bananas!
Sara Quin also did production on your new record. She's mentioned that she's very meticulous and a bit of a perfectionist when approaching her own music. Was this similar to the experience you had working with her in the studio?
Sara is amazing and really fast. She doesn't have tons of comments but her comments are ALWAYS right on. She's an incredible songwriter and really a fabulous producer because of it. She can hear a song and know exactly what's missing, what needs different arrangement, what needs to go and what needs to come back in. It's pretty amazing watching her work, her talent is ridiculous.
I saw you tweet that you were working on Playboy's 'Rock the Rabbit' this year. Can you tell us anything about the project?
Yes we are designing an exclusive Hesta Prynn tshirt for Playboy. I just saw the finished version and it's amazing, my favorite piece of merch I've ever seen basically! I love the Playboy brand and have a lot of respect for them and it's really exciting that they've kind of taken me under their wing.
Now I loved the 'Civil Sheppard' EP and I love your new single and am very excited about the new record. But I also loved you as a MC- because I think what Northern State did was make hip-hop relatable to women, it was refreshing. I'm scared to ask but, are you done with hip-hop?
I think hip-hop has evolved and I've evolved with it. The best new hip-hop is really genre-blending. The days of an MC and a dj have passed in my opinion - it's been done and been done great. I prefer to bring hip-hop into what I'm doing now. I still rap a bit on this record tho.
I follow Hesta Prynn's Hot List! It's hilarious. I was wondering if you could do a little hot list right now. What are some things in entertainment you're into right now? What are some you hate?
I luv the new Tool Academy, I watched the season premiere last night at like 2am and it was dope. I was way into Jersey Shore but that's kind of passed already. I'm not really into this whole Tiger Woods thing, nor am I into the Olympics. I basically spend all of my time working and the rest of my time watching horror movies. I love Eli Roth, Joel McHale, Maz Jobrani and Ruby Rose.
No title or release date yet for Hesta's record but she says she will keep me, and therefore you, posted;)
photo by: Sara Quin
(photo on widget by: Shervin Lainez)
LINKS! Where Hesta Prynn is, you want to be:
http://myspace.com/hestaprynn
http://twitter.com/hestaprynnmusic
http://hestaprynn.tumblr.com/
http://hestaprynn.bigcartel.com (MERCH!)
