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The Birthday Massacre

Who is Chibi?

Chibi is me. I’m the singer for the Canadian band The Birthday Massacre.


You are a big fan of power ballads, what is your top 10?

Fly to the Angels – Slaughter
High Enough – Damn Yankees
Don’t Know What You Got ‘Til It’s Gone – Cinderella
Heaven in Your Eyes – Loverboy
Don’t Cry – Guns N Roses
Heaven – Warrant
I Remember You – Skid Row
When I’m With You – Sheriff
When I See You Smile – Bad English
Is This Love - Whitesnake


Many people are waiting for the new album for a long time, can you give us an update on it?

Actually, two days ago we finished recording the last of the demos. Now we know exactly how many songs we’ll have on the album, and what they’re going to be. The producer is flying in from Vancouver tomorrow, and my first day in the studio is the end of the week. The songs are sounding really great, and there’s going to be a few surprises for people who’ve been following the band for a while. It’s going to be pretty cool.
We’re all excited about it. I’m nervous of going into the studio; I’m always afraid of looking like an idiot. We’ll see.


You love to read, why read instead of watching television (your chance to promote reading)?

You’re not just watching a screen where somebody else decided who the actors are, what they wear, what their house looks like, what the monster looks like, whatever. In a book, you get to decide all that. You have to use your imagination and your brain. You also don’t have to watch commercials, which I really can’t stand. A book gives you a story that you internalize and envision; a television program gives you everything, and also signals to you when to laugh and when to go “awwww” and everything. It’s kind of depressing when all people do is watch TV.


How do you prepare before going on a tour?

I try to pick a sensible amount of things. I make lists, and make sure to go over the list while I pack, otherwise, I totally will forget something. It’s always something little, like bobby pins or band aids or safety pins or my shower cap. I make lists. Also try to hang out with my friends and family as much as I can, because there’s a feeling of “I’m not gonna be back for a while and there might not be a way to talk to you.” Going on tour really kind of feels like jumping blindly off a diving board, to me. You can get hung up on saying goodbye to your cat for an hour… and then you just have to take a deep breath and lug your suitcase onto the van. And get ready to drag that thing around for a loooong time.


How does the ultimate Chibi day looks like?

My ultimate day would be, like, waking up at a reasonable hour – maybe noon or so, I do love to sleep in – and have some nice cereal and maybe a tea on the porch. Then go for a walk, I love walking in the nice weather, and go buy shoes if I wasn’t broke. In the evening I would go have a nice meal at a restaurant, and then come home, have a bath, and go to bed with one of my books. I basically like reading, going out for dinner, and sleeping.

Chibi


Everybody has an addiction (smoking, shopping, chocolate, sudoku), what is yours?

Well, now that I am trying to quit smoking, I’d have to say knitting and crocheting. I am a knitting fiend and I’ve whipped off a bunch of sweaters, some dolls and an afghan in the last year. I recently learned to crochet, so I’m making a granny square blanket with really bright colours. I love the repetitive motions with my hands, and getting to choose colours and make something for yourself. It’s really productive and creative. Good hobbies.


You love to do research in historical periods. If you could go back in time and live in any period. In what period would you like to live and why?

Tudor England under Henry VIII, through Edward VI and Lady Jane Grey to Mary I and Elizabeth I. I have read so many books, done so much research, I find that period of time fascinating and scary. All of his wives, they all have such incredible stories. It was such a scary and tragic time. I love the stories of the women and how they tried to make the best of their circumstances, and how innocent people could get caught up in total political intrigue and be accused of treason and things like this. Of course, I don’t know if I’d actually want to live back then. Even the rich and royal were infested with lice and fighting off the plague and stuff. Pretty disgusting, but that stuff aside, it’s such an interesting period of time. No boring stories.


Are you still addicted to “so you think you can dance”?  If they ask would you participate in such a program?

I haven’t watched it in a while, ha ha. I don’t know if I’d go on if invited. I think I’m a good dancer, but there’s something so cruel in those shows when they ridicule people for doing badly. I really hate that. And everyone at home laughing at the stupid people… it’s like, “You know, if you or I went on that show, we would be terrible, and we would get laughed at. ” I just don’t like laughing at people in that way. This said, I did love that show because those final few couples were incredible. I would really like to believe that I could dance like that. But, sadly, I feel that wouldn’t be the case.


What do you miss most when you are on tour?

Access to hot baths and long showers. Clean clothes. My cat. Quiet.


What are your expectations of the new album?

Of course I hope, we all hope, that it’s well received. “Violet” did very well for us and we’re very happy with that, so naturally we want to make an album that people who’ve been waiting so long for it will enjoy. Ultimately I feel that there’s growth with this new record, and some very strong songs.


Any last words for the readers?

Of course I want to thank everyone for all of their support! And you, for this interview. :)