According to Rolling Stone, Shannon Hurley is one of the artists to watch out for in 2008, so, you know, you don't have to take our word for it, there are plenty of other trumpeter's too. Her gorgeous new album, Ready To Wake Up, offers a delightful, spiked-cabernet buzz... Imagine if checking the ocean in the rearview while you were driving away from it had a sound. A melancholy joy already. Anyway, while that's all well and good, what we want to know is what's going on when Shannon goes to the shops in the Happy Shopper #19.
1) What was the last electrical appliance you bought?
I believe it was a blender in 2004. I make a terrific shake: 1 large scoop of peanut butter, 1 small banana, and 1 cup soy milk. Throw it into the blender, and frappe like crazy.
2) How many shoes do you own?
I own about 40 pairs of shoes, although I have about 3 pair that I wear exclusively: black ballet flats, a pair of red Italian boots that I got from a friend, and knee high black boots.
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?
At the moment I'm wearing a multi-colored satin skirt ($40) that I bought from one a shop on Melrose called The Cosmo Show, a brown t-shirt that says "cutie pie" ($14) from a boutique shop on Pico, Italian brown boots I got from a friend ($100), eyeglasses with red frames from Vogue ($200), a Rastafarian bracelet that my friend brought me from Jamaica (probably $10), and an antique Russian necklace with a picture of a saint ($80) that was also a gift from my friend. So, I guess I am more expensive than I look!
4) What are you going to be eating for dinner tonight?
I have a show at Hotel Café tonight, so if I had some extra money I'd get their Caesar Salad (no meat - I'm vegetarian) with a Panini sandwich with a glass of red wine, but tonight I'm broke, so it's a bowl of cereal for me.
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?
My husband and I are big believers in the two buck Chuck at Trader Joe's, but fortunately we have friends who bring much better wine to us when we host parties. The most expensive drink I think I've had was when I first moved to LA in 2001, and I was staying with my cousin, Dean Norris, who has starred in Lethal Weapon II, the Firm, and Total Recall (he usually plays the cop, an alien, or bad guy) and he took me out to the Sunset Strip. I had a chocolate martini that was $14 at Barney's Beanery. So good!
6) What and where is your favourite shop?
Let's see... My favourite music shop is Future Music Sunset, where they have vintage keyboards. I picked up my beloved Juno 109 there. I love Amoeba Music, of course, because you walk in with the intention of getting one album but you come out with five. I don't shop for clothes that much because my wardrobe lately has been a t-shirt from my husband's band (he plays bass for the Silverlake group the Minor Canon), my tattered jeans, and a pair of boots. I like indie band t-shirts so much, because then I can support all my musician friends by being their billboard. My next purchase will be a shirt from the band Let's Go Sailing.
7) How do you get around town?
In my Burbank hood, I use my little mint green beach cruiser. It has a basket, so I like to go to the farmer's market with Ben, my husband, and we buy fresh flowers and fruit- and then we ride our bikes home and I've got this big bouquet of daisies, and a baguette sticking out. I feel a bit like Amelie when I do that.
8) Where is your favourite place to holiday?
I love England. I lived there in the 90s, and I've gone back a few times since then. I am thinking about doing a UK tour next year, so hopefully I can see the beautiful countryside and hear that wonderful accent. I am a complete anglophile: I have tea every afternoon, most music that I listen to comes from Great Britain , and I am obsessed with Monty Python. I guess I'll see if it's in the cards for me to go over there in 2008
Shannon Hurley's album Ready To Wake Up is available now.
