ROSIE THOMAS

Interview by Neil Rhodes

14 November 2003

The interview was supposed to take place on Thursday, 13 November 2003. I couldn’t reach Rosie. She forgot we were doing the interview. No problem, we’ll do it tomorrow, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. I called her on Friday, and no answer. Called her drummer, no answer. Email her label, and they look for her. Immigration doesn’t allow cell phones. She had just passed through into Canada, headed for Toronto. If I had been aggravated with this woman (which I was not), her demeanor would have killed it instantly. She is, by and large, the sweetest and most loveable of people. While only the actual interview took some fifteen minutes, I was on the phone with Rosie for almost an hour. She has an ease about her, a calmness. She has the kind of personality that makes you feel as though you’ve known this lady for years. Who wouldn’t fall in love with her? Throughout the giggling and joking, I managed to pop off a few questions about the tour, the album, and Sheila, her stand-up comic alter-ego:


NR: So, you just got back from the European tour. How did it go?
RT: We were there about two weeks ago. It was awesome. I went to Portugal by myself. Then played in Sweden [with a full band] for about 2 _ weeks, 20 shows.


NR: What places did you enjoy playing the most?
RT: Sweden. A lot of small towns. Scotland is awesome, too. I like the way they talk. But only a day off [between European leg and U.S] was rough. I was sick, but I’m better now.


NR: How is the tour in the states so far?
RT: It’s really fun touring with Damien. I haven’t toured with him for a while. I’ve been touring with other bands that I didn’t know and that’s fine; but it’s more comfortable with Damien.


NR: Your first album was beautiful. This one made me cry. Did you set out with the intent to create something so beautiful it made your heart break to hear it?
RT: You write what you write, and it means what it means to you. I don’t think about what emotions I want to give people. It’s been a year of my life and my life is different. This record meant a lot to me. It’s about conversations I’ve had with people on tour and experiences I’ve had. I’m always gonna have to write from a personal place. Once it’s on paper, on the record, you think, "Fuck. I hope somebody takes that the right way." As an artist, if you’re not willing to be as honest as you can be, I think you’re wasting your time.


NR: Are there any songs on this album that are your favourites, your babies?
RT: I like the real quiet ones. I like "Red Rover". Sam [Beam of Iron & Wine] got to sing it with me. I like the one my mom and I did together ("Let Myself Fall"). "I Play Music", at first I thought it was cheesy, but then I was like, "I like it. It’s me."


NR: What was it like to get to record with your family?
RT: It was awesome. The other night I played a show [in Detoit] and my mom was there. I brought her up to sing a song. To see my dad get to play on a record and have his name on it… [My parents] have been musicians for years. They are so excited that I am doing what I am passionate about. It was more exciting to do that for them. My mom works for the post office. My dad works a totally blue collar job. Giving back to your parents is an incredible feeling.


NR: Let me ask you about someone else you are close to: Sheila. Tell me about her. Where did that idea originate?
RT: She has been in a horseback riding accident. She works as a pizza deliverer. She’s a stand-up comedian. She has a band called Strawberry Jam. It’s a cover band that does "Eye of the Tiger". She just talks about nothing and does bad jokes. She’s crazy. She’s pretty insane; but she doesn’t know it. She thinks she’s really funny. The fun part about when I first [came out on stage as Sheila] is that no one knew it was me. The first time I did it was in Boston, and no one could tell it was me. She got heckled and someone told her to get off the stage. I came out and played like I didn’t know what happened. We did a documentary film on her. When this tour is over, I want to put it out and sell it at shows. I think that comedy and music come from the same place. it’s just stuff that you think about everyday.


NR: Any Andy Kaufman/Tony Clifton influence there?
RT: I always liked Gilda Radner’s character work, so I would say it’s closer to that.


NR: Does the new album’s title ["Only with Laughter Can You Win"] have anything to do with Sheila / your love of comedy?
RT: It’s more about searxhing for happiness. I think we’re all searching for happiness. People say, "Maybe if I did this, I’d be happy," but we all may be searching for the rest of our lives [for happiness]. Perhaps if we learn to have a bit more of a light heart [about life] maybe we can get through it.


NR: Okay, two last questions. If you were doing today what you wanted to do when you were little kid, what would it be?
RT: It is this. I always wanted to entertain people. That’s all I wanna do. I’m content. I’m stoked. I’m very proud.


NR: What scares you in life?
RT: Plenty of things. [My] biggest fear is not knowing myself. Living to 80 years old and…I’m afraid of letting fear run my life. Which is why I push myself to try, really. I’d rather fail at everything. [I want] to be brave.


www.rosiethomas.com
www.subpop.com