The Untitled Interview #13: Starring Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene)

We here at Les Enfants Terribles don't agree on everything, it'd be a little boring if we did after all, but one thing we can both get behind is that there sure is a lot of good music being made by our good neighbors to the north (in other words, we heart Canadians). Bearing that in mind, it made perfect sense to us to get some answers from one of Canada's best and biggest exports, Broken Social Scene.

The stars are all good and perfectly aligned for two local BSS shows, tomorrow night in Richmond and Wednesday in DC (ok, actually in Northern VA, but close enough), and we Terribles will both be representing in our respective cities. To celebrate, and encourage you heartily to venture out into the delicious fall evening and join us, we excitedly present the Untitled Interview starring Mr. Brendan Canning, who is himself celebrating a delightful (albeit prematurely released) solo album. As a little bonus, you'll find an audio treat below. And because he's such a BSS nut, Terrible Chris has thrown in a couple questions of his own. Enjoy.

Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
Brendan Canning: Today, good.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
BC: The record shop I was just in was playing Canned Heat.

LET: Playing music is ___
BC: Going to delay my groin injury from healing.

LET: What album most made you realize that you wanted to make
music?
BC: KISS - Destroyer

LET: Beatles or Stones?
BC: Zeppelin.

LET: What're your top 5 albums?
BC: Today-
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
John Coltrane - Giant Steps
Slayer - Reign in Blood
Neil Young - Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
BC: 8 Mile.

LET: What city or venue would you like to play, but haven't
yet been to?
BC: Rio de Janeiro.

LET: Half-full or half-empty?
BC: What day is it?

LET: Apart from your band, which of your peers do you think is
making the best music these days?
BC: Are Wilco my peers?

LET: Favorite thing about Toronto?
BC: Kensington Market.

LET: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in
the morning?
BC: Do I really need to get out of bed today?

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
BC: Rotate this.

LET: What's the longest flight you've ever been on, and
where were you going?
BC: Toronto to Auckland-21 hours or so.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
BC: Tequila, lime and soda.

LET: What do you think is the secret to longevity as it relates
to bands?
BC: Have something else that makes you money. Or write a massive hit and then take a five year hiatus. If you've ever seen the movie Supertroopers, remember: desperation is a stinky cologne. (it's on in the bus right now.)

LET: If you weren't in a band, you'd be:
BC: Off of this bus.

LET: Best song ever written?
BC: “Pink moon” - Nick Drake.

Terrible Chris: Greatest Canadian band of all time? Greatest American?
BC: Rush. Talking Heads.

TC: Who's going to win the Stanley Cup this season?
BC: Who cares. Unless the Leafs start winning I could give a shit.

TC: Crosby or Ovechkin?
BC: ??

mp3: Brendan Canning - Hit the Wall