DECEMBER 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM DECEMBER 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM Q&A

REGINA SPEKTOR A self-proclaimed “nerd” lets fans into the live music-making process

IN 2009, REGINA SPEKTOR’S DIRECTOR And the camera is often very close. happen, because I have so many other FULL PAGE AD friend Adria Petty convinced her that the People didn’t even get to see that close when songs. If I didn’t ever write another one, I would time was right to preserve one of her I was playing tiny little clubs in New York. still have eight records’ worth of songs concerts on fi lm. Petty (daughter of Tom Part of the fun of this is that you really get that I’ve written already. Petty) traveled across England on tour with to see how things happen. When I watched Spektor, fi lming behind-the-scenes footage, Radiohead side-of-stage at festivals, one of Have you been writing lately? then shot her show at the Hammersmith the things I loved was seeing how they’re Mm-hm. I’ve been writing a lot of songs, in Apollo. That performance is documented pushing buttons, or seeing [guitarist] part because I’ve also been working on this on the new DVD and CD set Live in Jonny Greenwood switching pedals. To musical I’m writing [a version of Sleeping London, which features familiar tunes like me that’s really fun. I don’t know if that Beauty]. It’s funny how it works—when I “Fidelity” and “Apres Moi” alongside three makes me a nerd. (laughs) Actually, I know start writing one thing, all of a sudden I start previously unreleased stage favorites. The that I’m a nerd. writing 50 things. I think your mind just goes, Moscow-born singer and songwriter spoke “Oh, we’re doing stuff now.” with us from New York City. Why include the unreleased songs? Some of these songs had become What are your plans for 2011? How did you avoid self-consciousness, such an important part of the show over I want to make a record, and I want to fi nish knowing the show was being fi lmed? the last few years, so it just made sense. the musical. It’s going to take a lot to put I didn’t. (laughs) At all times I’m trying to get I thought it would be fun to have them it on, and that’s a whole other process. over some sort of self-consciousness. You available. The people who come to shows Everything about it is new to me. But right want things to be perfect. But I know that can never get these songs except in now I’m having so much fun writing and so eventually all the things I’m cringing about cell-phone quality. Actually, some of the much fun being home. I love touring, but I get put through the nostalgia lens. Even tapers who record my stuff make good toured so much. It’s like a pendulum, I go though it was hard to sit through the edit, and quality recordings. But I thought I should from being in a new city and a new part of the all I could see and hear were imperfections, make a really good-quality recording world every day to not wanting to leave the I’m sure when I’m 70 I’ll be really psyched. I’ll and put it out. I was thinking, “Well, house. (laughs) Just wanting to cook, write be like, “Oh, I looked so pretty and sang so I could wait until they’re properly music, watch movies and be a complete good.” Right now it’s just like, “Oh, why did produced and put on record.” But I hermit. I’m in that place now. I squint my eyes? Do I really do that?” honestly didn’t know when that would –Chris Neal

‘I know eventually all the things I’m cringing about get put through the nostalgia lens.’

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M mag 8.indd 22 12/30/10 6:21:38 PM