Filling in The Blanks with Larra Skye

For those familiar with Toronto’s dynamic jazz scene, Larra Skye doesn’t need an introduction. She’s a talented jazz stylist whose singing and writing abilities have generated attention and acclaim from music critics and contemporaries alike.

We asked Larra to kickstart our “Filling in The Blanks” series, where we ask local artists who live, work, or play in Toronto to finish off 20 questions that we give them. Here are Larra’s responses:

• Q1. The thing I love most about performing is the instant energy boost you get, and the creativity that happens with the musicians on stage. We play our songs slightly differently at every show.
• Q2. Another singer, band, or performer I would love to perform with would be Al Green, because have you heard his last album? He’s still got it. I’d love to sing a duet with him.
• Q3. The last good movie that I saw was Where the Wild Things Are — weird and wonderful.
• Q4. One thing people would be surprised to learn about me is that I love anime films and might be composing for a Japanese-style video game soon.
• Q5. I believe everyone should have records that they love, and not records that they think they should love in their music collection.
• Q6. My creative inspiration comes from the universe.
• Q7. My idea of a perfect date would be dinner for two at my favourite vegan restaurant on the outdoor patio.
• Q8. If I wrote an autobiography about my life to date, the title of the book would be, I have no idea — maybe something punny? But excluding any kind of play on words with my name, a la “Skye High” or “Skye is the Limit” — that’s too corny, even for me.
• Q9. The best thing about being a creative artist is getting a spark of inspiration, and working furiously on a song until you realize it’s dark outside and you didn’t eat anything for hours because you were so focused on your craft. Playing your creation with other musicians for the first time.
• Q10. The worst thing about being a creative artist is always feeling like you need to create something new; never being completely satisfied and always starting new things before the last is finished!
• Q11. My favorite place to hang out in Toronto is hard to pinpoint – some places that come to mind are Tinto’s in Roncesvalles, Lakeview Diner, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Hammam Spa… for nightlife, I like Sweaty Betty’s, Wrongbar, the Reservoir Lounge and so many more.
• Q12. The thing in life that scares me the most is getting hit by a car while riding my bike, or drowning (I like surfing though).
• Q13. I love it when a guy cooks for me.
• Q14. If I could go on a vacation anywhere in the world tomorrow, it would be to Hawaii or Australia.
• Q15. The most important lesson I’ve learned about the music industry is not to believe most of what you hear.
• Q16. I love Toronto because there’s always too much to do! Opera at the Four Seasons Centre, great food, live jazz, pretty good transit, moderate weather… it’s a good place to live.
• Q17. One of my favourite places to eat in Toronto is Live Food Bar on Dupont.
• Q18. The most influential person in my life is my Mom. I admire the fact that people still think we’re sisters – she looks amazing – and she raised three kids on her own while holding down a few jobs and a bookstore business to boot. I learned about hard work and compassion for others from my Mom.
• Q19. The craziest thing that ever happened to me while performing was when I had a WM (wardrobe malfunction) at a Toronto club and unknowingly tucked the back of my dress into my stockings and then went up on stage.
• Q20. If I could work with any music producer in the world, I would love to work with Quincy Jones or Rick Rubin.

To learn more about Larra, you can follow her on twitter or visit her website.