Sara of Tegan & Sara

Here's our interview last year...

Sara smiles
1/2 of Tegan and Sara chats with thecheappop
By Jon Chattman, for thecheappop.com

They say two is better than one. We're fine settling. We recently chatted with Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara, the singer/songwriter identical twin tandem, and asked her about sharing the road, and a group with a twin. Oh, and because they're from Canada, Rick Moranis naturally came up.

thecheappop) Originally you were known as Sara and Tegan. Why the name switch? Sibling rivalry?
sara) No, there is no sibling rivalry. We changed our name because we thought that the name "Tegan" would stand out more than "Sara" when of course in reality, "Sara" has a much stronger personality in real life....

thecheappop) Speaking of which, do you feel each other's pain?

sara) No, and we don't have any other magical powers.

thecheappop) But do you ever finish each other's sentences/lyrics/hooks?

sara) There is something amazing about being able to double your vocals on stage, and have them sound similar. Obviously, we compliment one another harmonically.
We occasionally talk over one another, and "finish" each others sentences...but its annoying, so we try not to.

thecheappop) Moving on, how'd the White Stripes' cover of your song come about? That must've been awesome for you guys.

sara) They were covering it live, and then we got word that they were going to record it, which we were thrilled about. Meg brought us a copy of the song while we were in Detroit doing a show, and told us that they were going to release it on a single. We love the band and think its an honor to hear them sing a song that we wrote!

thecheappop) Keeping with that (other acts digging your music), Matt Sharp played with you guys. What do you think about the rumors of a Rentals reunion?

sara) I recently met the new "Rentals" and Matt seems thrilled. I love him like a brother and I am so glad that he is doing this project. He is so talented and I am looking forward to hearing new songs!

thecheappop) Same here. What music do you guys listen to on the road?

sara) We listen to all sorts of things....lately...John Vanderslice, Lady Sovereign, Madonna, Six Organs of Admittance, Tom Vek, Laura Veirs

thecheappop) Fresh. You're both from Vancouver. What's the best thing to come out of Canada? Rick Moranis?

sara) Well, I like Rick, but in our business, I guess I would say artists like Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell are legends to me. I think the new crop of music is also very strong and in terms of other arts, Canadians seem to be experiencing a great increase in visibility around the world.

thecheappop) Shameless plug time. Last question, what's the good word on your fifth album and upcoming DVD?

sara) The DVD will hopefully come out in the summer. We are waiting for aliens to release to us the masters so we can manufacture... The new record, hopefully we will begin work on it in the summer and it will come out in the winter or spring of '07!