In the midst of her preparations for a world record attempt - assembling the largest ever Saw Ensemble the world has ever seen, at the 7th annual Musical Saw Festival, in Queens on July 18th, Natalia 'Saw Lady' Paruz took some time out for a little retail therapy, doing the Happy Shopper thing for Outsideleft.
1) What was the last electrical appliance you bought?
A huge and bulky 36" Sony TV.
2) How many shoes do you own?
I never thought to count my shoes before... I can't tell you exactly how many pairs of shoes I own because some of them are in my other apartment, but in my NYC appartement I have 29 pairs of shoes. This includes ballet slippers, tap shoes, and gardening shoes.
3) Thinking about only what you are wearing now and including your watch, jewellery and glasses if you wear them, how much would it cost me to get dressed up just like you? And where would I have to go to get the look?
The shopping wouldn't cost much, but the air-fare might... My T-shirt is from Bialistok, Poland, my pants from Jerusalem, Israel, my boots are from Bonn, Germany (I've had them since I was 12 years old!), my socks from Prague, the Czech Republic, my bracelet from Oxford, England... I travel a lot. My watch is from NY! I got it at South Street Seaport - it's a dual time zone watch and cost $16.
4) What are you going to be eating for dinner tonight?
Whatever my husband cooks. For an after dinner snack I'll have candy covered sunflower seeds (from the Amish store in mid-town Manhattan - I think it's 45th street off of Lexington, but I'm not exactly sure).
5) What is the most amount you have ever spent on a bottle of wine or other alcoholic beverage and when and where was it?
I don't drink alcohol but some of my gigs come with a complimentary bottle... At the last such gig, the Tribeca Ball, I was given a bottle of Belgian beer. I gave it to a guy who volunteered to translate an Italian story that was written inspired by my music.
6) What and where is your favourite shop?
Home Depo - it's the only store around here where I can find a selection of saws. Lately they only seem to sell 26" saws or shorter, which only have up to an octave and a half of notes on them, so they don't make for very good musical instruments. Though I did get a GreatNeck 26" saw there which actually has a very nice sound.
7) How do you get around town?
If walking someplace takes less than an hour - I usually walk. Otherwise I take the subway.
8) Where is your favourite place to holiday?
Krakow, Poland - best place to busk!
Go along and see The Saw Lady's world record attempt at the 7th Annual Saw Music Festival in Queen's on July 18th, at the Trinity Church, 31-18 37th Street (37th street at 31st Ave), Astoria (Queens). More info: www.MusicalSawFestival.org
Natalia's own website is here: SawLady.com
