20 Questions With Ivana Santilli

Ivana Santilli burst onto the music scene as a teenager in nationally lauded Bass Is Base in the mid 90s. Since her start, she’s released several albums, most recently the simply titled, “Santilli”. You can check her out September 11th at Taste of the Kingsway in Etobicoke at her next gig, but first, bone up on the woman behind the artist with her 20 Qs.

1. What is your dream of happiness?
Being able 2 regularly access the way I feel, when I unexpectedly hear the 1st 11 bars of Level 42′s ‘Something About you’ come on any speaker in any given car, resto, store, bank, or establishment.

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Brunette

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?
A man of his word is a man, I’d pay attention to.

4. What do you fear most?
Fear getting in the way

5. 808s or 909s?
808s + the Roland CompuRhythm box

6. What’s your biggest regret?

Too soon to say

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?
bars + clubs are as moody + fickle as followers. The ones where I’ve consistently had a good time: -
-T.O.- the Orbit room + The Beaconsfield
-NYC- the Box

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
a) Genuinely– my spirit + the things that keep it alive: music, family (nuclear + extended),  sunlight
b) Literally–Tupperware + 24 hour food joints

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
-George Benson
-the Police
-Michael Jackson

…because I was lucky enough 2 see Kraftwerk, Stevie Wonder, Level 42, Erykah Badu
10. What is your favorite decade in music?
1975-1985

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?
I can’t conceive of not being able 2 hear music. Chord progressions, how melodies sit + ride a progression, tension+ release, textures, the grain of a good man/woman’s voice– these have given me + made me feel more than anything I have ever been shown.

12. How old is too old?
Never too old if the spirit is vibrant + wise.

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Having become better @ my craft, creating music for film + other artists, recording in different languages, touring theatre dates , being able to support my family + treat my friends through my art, living between Europe (Rome or Amalfi coast of Italy) + Canada, …enjoying + sharing the good things in life– great food, friends, family, culture, convos, travel, + appreciating the changes that life brings, owning/running a summer music camp for kids 6-16. I may also do nightshifts on archaeological digs in Egypt.

14. Who’s your hero?
I have real good family + friends that are angels, – who needs heroes.

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Whatever looks really good in a leather, corduroy, wool + wood, = Browns

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
I swear, if I have 2 hear 1 more bar band play ‘Brick House’… Or play that ‘funky music white boy’…..ughh

17. Metallica or Madonna?
You mean tomatoes or bananas? Uh, Madonna

18. What’s your most hated vice?
Clutter

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

Michael Jackson– because his talent + contributions FAR superseded his gossiped faults + unproven crimes that tarnished his legacy.  He gave so much & we kept taking more.
20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
-Toss up between D’Angelo– Opera House –’94 + Jamiroquai – Opera House ’93
-Prince– Massey Hall ’02 + ACC ’04
-Guns ‘N Roses- Appetite for destruction tour- summer ’93
+ the next one doesn’t count as a top 3…it’s just a given: the perennially effortlessly entertaining Stevie Wonder- Taj Mahal- 2006 + Montreal Jazz Festival 2009

Btw, you’re not being fair…I’m a musician, & you give me only 3 top shows?…I have a running list of 20, just off top of my head.  La Bottine Souriante–  Montreal ’97 …and….c’mon!