Introduce yourself…

Our band is Pale Lips! From Montréal, Quebec, Canada!

My name is Jamie. I'm from Saskatchewan, where I am currently living.

Hi, I'm Lynn, from Windsor Ontario.

Jackie is from Brockville, Ontario on vocals

Ilona is from Ottawa, Ontario

Why do you play music?

Jamie: Because it's the best. I love it. That's it.

Lynn: Music is a great way to express yourself it's like another language. And to beat on a drum feels so great to just let loose.

Ilona: It’s a really fun way to express myself artistically and it allows me to travel.

What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?

Jamie: Green Day was probably my first real musical influence. Now I would say The Donnas, The Ramones and King Tuff.

Lynn: At home during family reunions it was a lot of traditional francophone music with the accordion, piano, classic guitar and we would all sing along together, it was so much fun and grew up across from Detroit city so much rock and funk mix music influence.

Ilona: Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, the Ramones, the Cramps

What's your ideal festival line-up?

Jamie: Just us and all of our buddies playing together would be amazing. Bands like the Platinum Boys, Giuda, Nikki Corvette, the 'B' Girls....

Lynn: To play with my brothers band : The Briefs

Jackie: Iggy and the Stooges, The Replacements, Devo, The Ronettes

Ilona: My tastes vary so it would be an odd line up. I’d choose kick ass rock n roll bands like Giuda, Cheap Fur, and RMBLR, and then drag Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis out of their nursing home beds and make them play too. I’d probably also dig up Johnny Thunders.

Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?

Jamie: Live always! But recording can also be super fun.

Lynn: I love both but more comfortable in the the recording session, no one to satisfy but myself. Enjoy playing to a click track.

Jackie: There’s something very unique about the energy of a live performance

Ilona: It’s two completely different things to me. Both are fun, of course.

What would be a dream collaboration?

Jamie: The Donnas or Nikki Corvette.

Lynn: That's a very tough one. Iggy pop or Reigning Sound would be so very sweet but The Spits or Amyl and the Sniffers would be pretty amazing!

Ilona: Dolly Parton

Describe a favourite album.

Jamie: Ramblin' Gamblin' Man by the Bob Seger System one of my fave records. It's a perfect record. I love the music, I love the vocals and I love the cover art.

My all time favorite is Dirty Dancing on vinyl, I can listen to it over and over like a broken record. Heart (Dreamboat Annie) cranked is up there and Rodriguez.

Jackie: There are many but Let It Be by the Replacements comes to mind as an album that just fits like a perfect glove. Hilarious title, no bad songs, heartbreaking content to cry to, and a sick KISS cover thrown in for good measure.

Ilona: I love Townes Van Zandt “Our Mother the Mountain” right now. It brings to life the kinda sad soul of Texas for me.

What's your favourite local haunt?

Jamie: In Saskatoon, probably the Yard & Flagon. In Montreal, definitely Barfly. I lived in Berlin briefly earlier this year and my fave place of all time Wowsville is the king of local haunts.

Lynn: The Portuguese chicken cooked on charcoal, like Ma Poule Mouillé, Fairmount bagels warm and just melt in your mouth are my special eating gem place. As for drinks I like very much the Cicchetti friends coctail bar.

Ilona: Local Jerk Caribbean style restaurant!

What's your strangest experience while performing live?

Jamie: Nothing strange really....

Lynn: Nada

Jackie: All the weird stuff happens off stage

Ilona: Somebody once threw a beer can at my head during a show and I managed to yell an obscenity at them while continuing to rock out hard. That was pretty remarkable.

What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in Montreal?

Jamie: I miss Montreal a lot and can't wait to be back. The scene is really supportive and there are a lot of really fun local bands. There are also a few really great promoters that bring amazing bands into the city and ask us to play with them.

Lynn: Many talented musicians here and it just sucks when so many great shows happen in the same day! You try to see all but just can't. Montréal is small but still kinda big in some way.

Jackie: shows all the time, and cheap rent

Ilona: We got lots of supportive friends here!

If you weren’t playing music in Montreal where would you be ?

Jamie: Back in Berlin.

Lynn: somewhere exotic

Jackie: I like to be exactly where I want to be, Montreal is it for now

Ilona: Back in Ottawa with my family. But of course, still playing music!

Any sage advice for young musicians?

Jamie: Just make music and don't be scared. I was always so worried about what people would think about the songs I wrote or the way I played but now I just go for it and it's the best. Also.... choose your band members wisely if you plan on touring.

Lynn: Just do it, Nike says it and I think you just have to discover what you enjoy as instruments sometimes to play around and maybe fall for something else and to just plunge for it, just be creative and don't listen to others. Be as unique as you can be. Don't follow others do your own thing.

Jackie: Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t. Surround yourself with inspiring art - visual, musical, written and cinematic. Always keep an open mind and push boundaries.

Ilona: C sharp if ya don’t wanna B flat!

Pleased To Meet Me : Pale Lips