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Feb 01, 2017 Sad13 By Mark Redfern Photography by Shervin Lainez

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For Under the Radar‘s 14th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to 2016. We asked them about their favorite albums of the year and their thoughts on various notable 2016 news stories involving either the music industry or world events, as well as some quirkier personal questions. Here are some answers from Speedy Ortiz frontwoman Sadie Dupuis. In 2016 she released, Slugger, her debut solo album under the moniker Sad13.

For our annual Artist Surveys we emailed the same set of questions to musicians about Trump and the election, 2016’s deaths, self-driving cars, Stranger Things, first kisses, scary movies they shouldn’t have seen as a child, which Friends character they are most like, and much more.

Pick up or download Under the Radar’s Best of 2016 / 15th Anniversary Issue for Artist Survey interviews with Amber Arcades, Austra, Faris Badwan of Cat’s Eyes and The Horrors, Boxed In, Caveman, The Charlatans, Cursive, Lucy Dacus, The Dears, C Duncan, Sadie Dupuis of Sad13 and Speedy Ortiz, Dutch Uncles, Ezra Furman, Robyn Hitchcock, The Invisible, Justin Lockey of Editors and Minor Victories, Lost Under Heaven (LUH), Lush, Midlake, Phantogram, The Range, Springtime Carnivore, Sunflower Bean, Surfer Blood, TEEN, The Thermals, Nick Valensi of CRX and The Strokes, Jenn Wasner of Flock of Dimes and Wye Oak, and Yuck.

A shorter version of Dupuis’ survey appeared in the print version of Under the Radar’s Best of 2016 / 15th Anniversary Issue, this is the full unedited version.

Top 10 Albums of 2016

1. Xenia Rubinos: Black Terry Cat
2. Rihanna: Anti
3. Weaves: Weaves
4. Nao: For All We Know
5. Santigold: 99¢
6. Sammus: Pieces in Space
7. Deerhoof: The Magic
8. Big Thief: Masterpiece
9. Mitski: Puberty 2
10. Solange: A Seat at the Table

2016 was regarded by many as a fairly tough and negative year. Was it also a hard year for you personally? If so, how? And also what were the high points for you?

It was a hard year for anyone who identifies as, or is concerned about the safety of their friends who identify as, queer people, people of color, people who rely on the affordable care act, people who can get pregnant, people who would like to express their religious freedoms without fear of violent retribution. I think it was a hard year for anyone who’s not a white supremacist. High points… I don’t know it all seems pretty bleak. Lots of tight albums this year, though.

What are your thoughts on how the U.S. presidential election played out?

I…have had a glass of hot mulled wine to drink and my eloquence about this disastrously hot garbage pail of an election are going to be tainted by alcohol. Sorry.

Let’s discuss Donald Trump. What does the rise of Trump tell you about America in 2016? What concerns you most about a Trump presidency? How do you think his presidency might personally change your life? What message do you have for those who voted for Trump? What actions will you take over the course of the next four years to either protest a Trump presidency or support it?

My phone now autocorrects “Trump” to “that creepy bigot.”

What reality TV star would you have rather been elected president?

Tanisha Thomas.

If you were president, what would you try to accomplish in your first 100 days in office?

Abolish prisons, demilitarize the police, universal healthcare…I’m not gonna get elected president, huh.

What are your thoughts on Brexit and the future of the European Union? To what extent do you think the Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump were motivated by the same factors?

Are the factors “widespread racism and xenophobia?” Yes, I think they were motivated by the same factors.

Which Friends character are you most like?

Ross’ monkey.

What scary movie did you see way too young as a child, how’d you end up seeing it, and does it still scare you now?

I remember seeing Jason Goes to Hell the same summer I saw Jumanji. I was 7. I was completely disturbed by Jumanji and had nightmares about poisonous insects for months, but didn’t have too many thoughts about Jason, even though Jason impales and murders a couple mid-coitus within, like, the first 10 minutes.

Are you ready for self-driving cars and a more automated future?

I just bought my first fanny pack and I was barely ready for that.

Tell us about the most memorable fan encounter you had this year.

My memory is all short term but I’ve been gifted rosé and vegan donuts after shows within the past week, so those were both pretty cool. I met three goats the other day; I was a big fan.

Tell us about your first kiss.

It was July 4th, 2002, in the field behind my middle school during the fireworks. I hated it so much! I didn’t really do it again for a year and even that took a lot of convincing. But maybe that was just my budding anti-patriotism negatively affected by libido in the Freedom Fries-scented air of post-9/11 America.

Under the Radar has been around for 15 years now, since December 2001. How do you feel the music industry has most changed in that time, both for the better and the worst?

For the better since December 2001: Nickelback isn’t charting this month. For the worse since December 2001: Usher isn’t charting this month.

Which Stranger Things character do you most relate with? Why?

The monster (obvious reasons).

If you have kids or plan to have kids one day, will you encourage them to be a musician or artist or would you prefer they get a more stable job?

Hahaha as if our environment is gonna hold up long enough for me to adopt kids.

What’s usually the biggest stumbling block to your happiness?

Running out of hot mulled wine.

What celebrity, musician, or historical figure, living or dead, would you most want to be stuck in an elevator with?

Sylvia Plath for the sake of friendship. John Malkovich circa The Glass Menagerie for the sake of cuteness. Most of my crushes are cartoon characters, though.

What band, besides your own, has the best name?

Old Maybe.

What VHS tape or DVD did you wear out growing up?

Spice World.

What song, past or present, best sums up 2016?

YG: “Police Get Away Wit Murder.”

www.speedyortiz.bandcamp.com

www.sadthirteen.com

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