Meet Martha Bouchier. Lead singer of recently reconvened Toronto band Swedish Fish. Martha might live outside the NFZ, but good lord, she’s one of us. You can catch her perform with the band at their CD launch this Saturday, May 24 at Rancho Relaxo.
Where did you grow up? Why?
I grew up in the east end of Toronto. I live in the same house. I hate to move. I also have a hard time remembering phone numbers.
How long have you been in Toronto?
I have lived here my whole life. My parents and sister moved back to Toronto from my birthplace of North Bay when I was two, so this is the only home I remember.
Toronto is…
the best city in the world…in my humble opinion.
What do you do for a living?
I am a hairdresser.
What keeps you busy?
My work, my band/music, my cats, my friends, my guy.
What was your favourite summer job?
Driving around with my dad repairing garden sheds.
Dream job? Why?
Doing music full time and hair part time. I really am partly living my dream job just in the wrong proportion.
What’s your passion?
Playing music. I know it sounds corny but I can't think of anything that brings me as much joy as the past couple of years with the band. I can honestly say it wasn't as much fun the first time around. I am so lucky!
If I say jump?
How high?
What do you give back to the No Fly Zone?
I hate to say it but I am a true blue east ender. I love visiting the NFZ as a tourist. It is beautiful and foreign but I always get lost.
What can we do to make Toronto a "world class" city?
I think the ROM and the AGO shouldn't charge admission, the subways should run 24 hours and stores in Yorkville should stay open later than 5 on Saturdays.
Are you an artist?
In my own crafty way, yes.
How does art influence your life?
I love looking at pretty things.
Hands or feet?
Hands definitely.
Worst public moment?
I am pretty clumsy so I am always tripping. I am sure this is not the worst moment, but it is the only one I can remember off hand. I got tickets, passed to me last minute, for the TIFF gala opening at Roy Thompson Hall. At the end, Scott and I left and walked out on the red carpet with all the cameras pointing in our direction and I tripped on nothing and I fell flat out, in slow motion, long and drawn out, flailing. No, the cameras weren't turned on of course but it was still completely embarrassing.
Why do you live here?
I can't even imagine living anywhere else?
Two Beatles left: Ringo and Paul. Who wins in a smackdown?
Ringo hands down. He is resourceful, and shifty I bet.
Favourite public space?
I don't know if this counts as a public space, but my favourite part of the summer in Toronto is when the CNE opens. I don't know what it is about it, but I look forward to it every year. So many of my friends didn't grow up in Toronto and don't get it. Scott and I go every year and we wander around, buy weird stuff, see a Q107-sponsored Gasworks-type cover band, while drinking really expensive Labatts Blue out of plastic cups. We love it. It is such a great people watching event.
Who are your favorite artists?
There are too many to name but the one closest to my heart is Simon Bedford-James. He is the most prolific song writer I have ever heard of. He is amazing. I am so lucky that he writes so many songs I and get to sing them. We are having a blast.
Mon Chi Chi, My Little Pony, Barbie? discuss.
They all give me the creeps for different reasons, mostly the advertising.
For more information on Swedish Fish, check out the band’s myspace site or RSVP on the Facebook event page.