the nogoodforme.com interview: St. Vincent

We couldn't dream of a more beautiful way to kick off our exciting new interview feature than with the always ravishing, occasionally guitar-slaying St. Vincent: She can't live without her Shu Uemura red lipstick! She names Rosemary's Baby-era Mia Farrow as one of her style idols! She's really into Neil Young, and even shares my weird affection for Steely Dan! All the more reason for you to catch St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark, formerly of Polyphonic Spree) when she's out on the road with our much-worshipped Scout Niblett this summer. In the meantime, do download a few of her mp3s at The Rawking Refuses to Stop! and buy her debut Marry Me when it comes out on July 10.

When did you start making music? My first "real band" was an Iron Maiden cover band. To the dismay of parents and teachers alike, I shredded "The Trooper" in my 7th grade talent show.

Who are your favorite bands? This one's too hard! I will distill it by only including my contemporary favorites: Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Midlake, The Dirty Projectors, The National, Andrew Bird, Joanna Newsom.

Name one record you loved when you were a little kid that you still listen to today. My favorite record as a 9-year-old was Steely Dan's Royal Scam. Try convincing the rest of the slumber party that they'd RATHER listen to "Kid Charlemagne" instead of C & C Music Factory, and count how many slumber parties you get asked back to. But the Dan is still totally ruling fourteen years later.

What have you been listening to lately? I've been spinning Neil Young's Live At Massey Hall, Brian Wilson's reissued Smile, Robert Wyatt's Shleep, Sebastian Tellier's Sessions, Deerhoof's Milkman, Laurie Anderson's Big Science, and Charles Mingus's Mingus Ah Um.

Who's your number-one all-time music crush? Ornette Coleman.

What's your favorite makeout music? Grizzly Bear's Yellow House. Nothing reminds me of second base more...

Do you have a favorite stage outfit? I alternate between a dress made by Mayle (Nolita, NYC) and a United Bamboo dress. I love them both so much.

Name one beauty item you always take on tour with you. Shu Uemura red lipstick and moisturizer.

Tell us a beauty secret. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Who are your style idols? Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby, Anna Karina in Pierrot le Fou, Jean Seberg in Breathless. The ladies in the 60's had it down.

Any favorite fashion designers/labels? I'm really in love with Mayle, Built By Wendy, A.P.C., and United Bamboo. I like things that manage to be both elegant and a bit playful.

What are your favorite places to clothes-shop in your city? I save up all my shopping energy for New York. When it comes to clothes, I'm too ADD and impatient to do any extensive browsing, so I go to the stores I know and love: Opening Ceremony, A.P.C., Mayle, and Built by Wendy.

Any advice for girls/boys out their looking to start a band? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Just kidding...first things first: Forget about the music. Get your look together!


Before you get back to moisturizing, check this clip of Annie playing "Your Lips Are Red." She somehow reminds us of both PJ Harvey circa Dry and Jami Gertz circa Lost Boys and Less Than Zero, which all just magnifies our crush tenfold.

Posted by Liz in Interviews
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