What was the first concert you ever saw?
INXS at the Hartford (Conn.) Civic Center. It was for their Kick tour. Two obese women seated behind us scowled at us the whole time for dancing. What did they expect us to do, with Michael Hutchence right there singing "Devil Inside"?
What CDs are in your changer right now?
On iTunes: Fleetwood Mac, Rumours; Joni Mitchell, Blue; The Beatles, Let It Be; The Kinks, Greatest Hits. And Tom Petty.
How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, 8-tracks)?
Zero. Everything is digital now. I am a collector by nature and used to have lots of CDs, but then they got stolen or sold off when I was broke. I believe in albums as objects, to be loved and listened to in that format, and I don't like the way digital file-sharing cheapens that. But I'm poor, and this is easier for my lifestyle.
Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?
I don't. I just burn CDs from friends. Which seems illegal.
What was the first album you owned?
The Muppet Movie soundtrack.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
"Fortunately Gone" by The Breeders. Or "Good Feeling" by Violent Femmes.
Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don't know about? What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
It's not what I listen to; it's how I listen to it: performatively, with loud singing, hand gesturing and steps. The worst part is, I'm taking myself deadly seriously the whole time.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Undoubtedly, Pixies. My friend Michaela played Side Two of Doolittle for me--"Mr. Grieves" I think was the first song--and that was it. I never knew music could be that good.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Pixies, Doolittle. Hands down.
