Yacht has announced their New Mystery Moods tour across North America to support their highly-acclaimed See Mystery Lights album. They will be playing in Toronto at WRONGBAR on March 4th.

They did us the pleasure of taking the Pink Mafia‘s 20 Questions With Rad People too:

1. What is your dream of happiness?

The whole driving impulse behind YACHT right now is to bring together a community of like-minded people and somehow make a home for them in the Far West Texas desert, in Marfa, where we lived while recording See Mystery Lights. An alliance, a homestead. The light in the desert is wide and and almost white on the desert plains, the agave cactus. It’s a very spiritual place for us, and we’d like to make a permanent commitment to that land.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

We like a little bit of both. Duality is one of our great interests: dark, light, one thing can’t exist without the other. We honor and respect the darkness all while choosing the path of the light. Jona is a brunette. I am a blonde. This is not without reason.

3. What Is the quality you like most in a man?

Femininity.

4. What do you fear most?

That spirituality is a mass delusion caused by some minute quirk of neurology. We also have nightmares about a dark, inscrutable mask of an alien’s face as it stands quietly in our bedroom doorway in the dead of night; the looming threat of abduction. Nothing is more frightening than the stone-cold other.

5. 808s or 909s?

Whatever is necessary to make the best music you can make. We make all our music with a consumer-level iMac computer, a $50 condenser microphone, and borrowed instruments; for us, it’s about as much as possible with as little as possible, and, furthermore, we believe the tools are essentially irrelevant. It’s about how you transcend the tools, make them invisible, and create the illusion that your music somehow predates you — that it was always there.

6. What’s your biggest regret?

That we can’t remember our own births.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?

For YACHT, it’s not about place, it’s about what can be done in a place. We see shows as Temporary Autonomous Zones, pirate utopias, quick-dissolve anarchies to be constructed and taken apart by its constituents, the concert attendees. There are so many calcified rituals in the club: the stamping, the merchandise, the tickets, the way people hold themselves. Why not subvert those and create an experience that’s both temporary and new?

8. What’s the one thing you can’t you live without?

The Internet.

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?

Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?

The 1980s gave us a perfect distillation of punk and aesthetics: California hardcore, the post-punk movement, the birth of independent music, the early shivers of grunge, the Talking Heads.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?

We would rather go deaf because it would put us in a position to make really interesting music. Can you imagine, a deaf band? Traveling and playing music that they’d never heard? Nothing could be more pure.

12. How old is too old?

Dead.

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?

We can’t say. We feel as though we’ve taken the first steps onto a long, winding path whose turns and obstacles remain obscured to us. It may lead us off the edge of the cliff, but we have faith that if we keep our heads down, work through the briar patches, and continue with light in our hearts, that it will take us up and over the mountain.

14. Who’s your hero?

Our heroes are many, as are our influences. Like everyone in this hyper-connected, self-navigating digital utopia we call the Western world, our minds are a sieve of millions of ephemera: music, images, colors, ideas, anxieties, connections. It all seeps in, and eventually we turn it around into cogent output that is profoundly inspired by the work of others without being derivative. Kurt Cobain, Luxirare, James Tiptree Jr./Alice Sheldon, Philip K. Dick, the science fiction writers of the New Wave, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Karl Lagerfeld, David Lynch, Yayoi Kusama, John C. Lilly, Aleister Crowley, Manly P. Hall…

15. What’s your favourite colour?

White because it contains all colors. And black because it doesn’t.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?

The song “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain. This song is worthy of all the vitriol a person can muster. It is fucked on so many levels: musically, politically, aesthetically, sexually. It’s a nightmare. “The best thing about being a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun?” Might as well say, “The best thing about being a woman is that you don’t need to think.”

17. Metallica or Madonna?

Madonna.

18. What’s your most hated vice?

Intellectual laziness, the lack of curiosity about the world and one’s place in it. We have no sympathy for those who aren’t curious.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

Vernon Wayne Howell, aka David Koresh, the ill-fated leader of the Branch Davidians. He was a rapturous leader in a fundamentalist vein that is pervasive in America today, before the conservative power machine realized that fundamentalist Christians were political allies. He and the rest of the Branch Davidians, women and children, were squashed like bugs by the FBI at Waco and then slandered posthumously in justification. David Koresh sought to live righteously, and in doing so led his followers into grotesque, unnecessary deaths at the hands of the Feds. Perhaps not the most tragic figure in history, but a parable about of the importance of communication, and very visible example of the propaganda poison we are constantly fed by our leaders and the media about offshoot spiritual groups.

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

Jona’s first ever concert was the Melvins, the Breeders, and Nirvana. He fulfilled the “top live shows” category of existence before I even hit the ground, and now we don’t have to worry about it.

Not surprisingly, Arts & Crafts is responsible for another great artist, Gentleman Reg. He has had two highly acclaimed full-length albums released in the past and now his six-song Heavy Head EP is out and ready for the public. Toronto has been having the privilege of seeing Gentleman Reg and his band perform at the Drake every Wednesday this February, and tonight is the last show.

1. What is your dream of happiness?
I only have scary dreams unfortunately.

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Blonde. (obviously)

3. What Is the quality you like most in a man?
Needs to be talkative.  extremely.

4. What do you fear most?
Degenerative diseases.

5. 808s or 909s?
808s

6. What’s your biggest regret?
I was introverted for far too long. Life is too short to be shy.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?
The Beaver in Toronto on queen west.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t you live without?
My persistence, I would be nowhere without it.

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Arthur Russell, Eurythmics, Fleetwood Mack (back in the day)

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
There isn’t one really.

The last half of the 80′s through the first half of the 90′s is my favorite period in music.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?
Well music is my life, so losing my hearing is my worst nightmare.  But, i don’t know if i could live with the loss of freedom that would come with going blind.  So i’ll choose going deaf.

12. How old is too old?
‘Age aint’ nothin but a number…’  remember that song?

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?
Very very successful, rich and living it up.  Or, living in a cabin hermit styles.

14. Who’s your hero?
Bjork

15. What’s your favourite colour?
My eyes!  I cannot stop staring at them.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
‘More than words’ by Extreme

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Well I like to call her Madge!

18. What’s your most hated vice?
My sweet tooth.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Nick Drake

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
Cibo Matto at Lee’s Palace when Sean Lennon and Russell Simmons were in the band.
Sinead O’Connor in 1990 at the peak of her celebrity. My first stadium experience.
Jim Guthrie at Jimmy Jazz in Guelph, early 90′s.  When I realized I could have a band too.

Pat Mahoney from LCD Soundsystem is here to answer our 20 questions. He’ll be performing at LoveMusic this Saturday at the Sound Academy along with, Switch, Hercules & Love Affair and many others.LCD Soundsystem’s album is be to released this year. Check out what Pat has to say:

1. What is your dream of happiness?
Happiness is a Warm Dog

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Ginger!  And the rug matches the curtains!

3. What Is the quality you like most in a man?
Firm gentleness

4. What do you fear most?
Dental surgery

5. 808s or 909s?
707 driving a simmons sdsV

6. What’s your biggest regret?
Neglecting my teeth

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?
Not sure if it is still at subclub, but best night out is Optimo
in Glasgow.  Every Sunday!

8. What’s the one thing you can’t you live with out?
Bacon
9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Pete Burns, Timothy Lever and Mike Percy, obviously.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
This last one was just sooo good.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?
If I went blind, I wouldn’t have to answer dumb email questions….

12. How old is too old?
9

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?
On a yacht, spoiling my grandkids.

14. Who’s your hero?
Bruce Nauman

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Really?
16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
Not that attached to any of them, really.

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Madonnica!

18. What’s your most hated vice?
Eating delicious animals.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Ronnie

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

Jesus Lizard

For those who are musically savvy, you’ve heard of RJD2 and been on his jock for some time now.  But for those not in the know, RJD2 has been in the hip hop game for ten years now.  For most, his game is just on the DL.  He started in Ohio with his own (now defunct) indie record label and making his own beats.  From there, he traveled the world performing and worked with some notable notables such as Massive Attack, Mos Def and Polyphonic Sphree.  Sure, things have changed for RJD2 (bigger studio, bigger gigs – like his one coming up in Toronto – March 11, 2010 @ Mod Club), but his says his goal remains the same: ‘make music that is going to hopefully rearrange your brain, or at least provide some relief from real life for a moment or two’.

Check out his answers to our 20 Questions.  This dude is charming, hilarious & just a wee bit nerdy.  The best combination!

Photo Credit: Dan McMahon

1. What is your dream of happiness?

Lots and lots of sleep. and blowjobs. then more sleep.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

Redhead.

3. What Is the quality you like most in a man?

I love it when a man’s checks clear.

4. What do you fear most?

Vegetarian diet.

5. 808s or 909s?

808′s.

6. What’s your biggest regret?

Too private!

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?

Probly 9:30 in DC.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t you live with out?

Brain stimuli.

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?

Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Joe Zawinul

10. What is your favorite decade in music?

The roaring 20′s.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?

Ugh. no answer.

12. How old is too old?

Never too old!

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?

In a space bubble watching earth in flames.

14. Who’s your hero?

Jim Henson.

15. What’s your favourite colour?

Green.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?

That one BEP song. Oh, wait I’m told they have more than one. All those BEP songs.

17. Metallica or Madonna?

Duh. METAL UP YOUR ASS

18. What’s your most hated vice?

My lady hates my neti pot.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

The smelly kid in the wire who ends up a junkie.

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

Dead Sea, Dead Sea, Dead Sea.

The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for many. the season’s Nutcracker opened last Saturday, December 12, 2009 and runs until January 03, 2010 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

We got a chance to ask Jordana Daumec a dancer in this year’s Nutcracker our 20 Questions.

1. What is your dream of happiness?

To be where I want to in my professional life and to be with my

boyfriend. That’s the everyday dream of happiness for me.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

Brunette for sure – I am one!

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?

A sense of humour, which goes hand in hand with not taking himself too

seriously.

4. What do you fear most?

My own negativity.

5. 808s or 909s?

N/A

6. What’s your biggest regret?

Feeling like I should regret something.

7. What’s your fave bar or club in the world?

I don’t really have one. I’d rather be at a friend’s house, or maybe a

lounge in Little Italy in Toronto. Nothing that requires me to see young

girls in dresses that are actually the size of a t-shirt.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t you live with out?

Ice cream – chocolate chip cookie dough to be exact.

9. What are the 3 musicians/artists/performers dead or alive you’d like

to see perform?

-Bob Marley – My mom played his music when I was in her womb and I

still listen to him to this day.

-Mikhail Baryshnikov in his prime.

-Michael Jackson when he performed at Motown 25 and did the moon

walk.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?

1960s Motown, when a singer’s voice wasn’t made by a machine.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?

This is a hard question. In ballet both sight and hearing are needed so

I can’t really answer it from a dancer’s point of view. As for “normal”

life, is it better hear the people you love laughing or to see it? I

don’t think I can pick.

12. How old is too old?

I don’t think you can be too old. Age brings wisdom (hopefully).

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?

Hopefully injury-free and still dancing, and most of all, just happy.

14. Who’s your hero?

My parents. They’ve shown me that if you love someone you will do

anything for them – travel to the ends of the earth, walk on fire, drive

four hours every day to take your child to a better ballet school and

run to Toys ‘R’ Us in high holiday season to fight for the last Cabbage

Patch Kid doll. Now that’s love.

15. What’s your favourite colour?

Black and blue. But not like a bruise.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?

Any song from those tweeny boppers like the Jonas brothers or that Miley

Cyrus character.

17. Metallica or Madonna?

Madonna, but the “Like a Prayer” Madonna.

18. What’s your most hated vice?

Doubting myself.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

Bob Marley’s tragic death. We need more musicians like Marley who sing

about issues that matter and come from the heart.

20. What are the top three live shows (performances) you’ve seen in your

life?

-Going to my first concert, which was Lupe Fiasco, with my best friend

Jenna Savella (a Second Soloist in the company).

-Seeing one of my best buds, Second Soloist Elena Lobsanova, win the

Eighth International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize in 2008. I was

so proud of her!

-A Kanye West concert that I went to with an amazing group of friends.

Although, it was mostly my friends that made it so memorable.

If by now you’re not familiar with the goodness that is Dragonette, we can’t help with your intense psychological issues, but we will kindly introduce you to mastermind Dan Kurtz, one-quarter of the electro-pop-sex-machines.

1. What is your dream of happiness?
Not sure. Most days feel like happiness, though.

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Does it have to be either/or?

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?
A sense of humour about himself. Same goes for women.

4. What do you fear most?
Outliving my loved ones.

5. 808s or 909s?
808s.

6. What’s your biggest regret?
I can’t tell you.

7. What’s your fave bar or club in the world?
Razzmatazz Barcelona for the all-nighter; The Cow in London for drinking and making new best friends.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
My wife.

9. Who are three musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Prince (again); the Police in 1983; Jacko in 1984.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
I’ll take the early 70s into the early 80s, if possible.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?
Blind. I like hearing more than seeing.

12. How old is too old?
I’m not old enough to answer that question.

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Somewhere that’s warm for a great part of the year.

14. Who’s your hero?
I have a few. Most are clichés. #1 is my mum.

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Different colours for different things.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
Man, there’s a long list.

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Madonna.

18. What’s your most hated vice?
It’s only a vice if you do it too often. Luckily I have none of those.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Man, there’s an even longer list. How could anyone sift through all of history’s tragedies and pick “the most tragic”?

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
Paul McCartney, Camden, 2007.
Prince, Montreal, 1990?
2ManyDJs, Sydney, 2008

P.S. Dragonette are currently on tour across North America and will be messing up Toronto’s Mod Club on October 8th. Attendance is highly recommended. For full tour dates, check their MySpace. Woot, woot!