21 Questions with Julie Slick

Please explain what just happened.

I just finished making a Thai Butternut Squash Bisque and confirmed that a friend is coming over for dinner to help me eat some of it.

What is your earliest memory?

Eating a forest green crayon behind the couch so no one could see me. The tangerine one wasn’t as good.

If you weren’t a musician what other profession would you choose?

I’d have to do something else artistic… there is nothing more frightening to me than a 9-5 cubicle job. I guess I’d go back to waiting tables. You meet so many unique people.

Please describe the current contents of your refrigerator.

Ooh! I like this question.A big pot full of last night’s veggie curry, some baked rice, pickled Serrano chiles, a block of Tofu, some Tempeh, Pink Lady apples, fresh squeezed grapefruit and orange juice, 2% milk, vanilla soy milk, a Brita thingie full of water, half and half, spinach, green beans, lemons, meyer lemons, a tube of tomato paste, anchovies, tuna salad, Dijon mustard, capers, Sriracha, a hunk of cheddar, tortillas, Tofutti cream cheese.I also have a small fridge full of beer, eggs, and hummus. The freezer is full of leftover homemade confections like falafel, pitas, manicotti, lentil soup, etc, etc. AND ICE CREAM! As you can probably tell I’m a little food obsessed…

What verb best describes you?

Compete.

What would you say to yourself if you could go back in time and have a conversation with yourself at age thirteen?

“Chill out! Not everyone ‘gets’ you right now – you are very different. Calm down and you’ll get some friends… but keep practicing bass and recording… don’t let friends get in the way of productivity.”

What are the steps you take to regain your composure?

Get everyone away from me and breathe alone for ~10 minutes.

Define “success.”

Being happy in every aspect.

 

From what or whom do you derive your greatest inspiration?

My parents! Without them, not only would I not be here, and they have been totally the most supportive, creative parents EVER.

What change do you want to be in the world?

It would be nice, albeit boring if everybody got along… How about – a cure for world hunger…

Are you pro- or anti-emoticon? Please explain.

Until recently, I never used them. I find them infectious, though, and have been using them more when others use them in messages to me. I should add that I don’t feel good about it.

How are you six degrees from Kevin Bacon?

One degree – we went to the same high school, and he and Michael played a concert for the entire student body when I was a freshman. “Footloose” was a highlight. Our geometry class had to be relocated to the library so they could have a green room…

What makes you feel most guilty?

Eating past midnight…

Please list three things you never leave home without.

iPhone, wallet, and passport (it’s my only form of ID).

What is the worst piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

“You should major in Chemistry.” Actually, that was probably good advice…

What is the best advice you’ve ever given to someone else?

I actually have to give my boyfriend credit for this one, but I use it all the time: “Worry is just a form of unnecessary suffering.”

What do you consider the harshest kind of betrayal?

Backstabbing/Talking about someone without him/her knowing it.

Of all the game shows that have graced our TV screens throughout history, which one would you want to be a contestant on and why?

“Who Wants to be a Millionaire” – because who doesn’t? Not that a million bones is considered a lot these days…

What do you want to know?

The meaning of life… no wait. Ignorance is bliss. How to write the best songs in the world.

What would you like your last words to be?

“I love you.”

Please explain what will happen.

Next? I’m expecting that friend, and we’re going to eat some of this soup, play some music, and watch the Top Chef finale. In the long term, I’m going to have that music/food empire, and die doing something exciting on my 98^th birthday.