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Feb 16, 2018 Web Exclusive By Mark Redfern

For Under the Radar‘s 15th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to the last year. We asked them about their favorite albums of the year and their thoughts on various notable 2017 news stories involving either the music industry or world events, as well as some quirkier personal questions. Here are some answers from Audrey Ann of She-Devils. Ann is one half of the Canadian duo with Kyle Jukka. They released their self-titled debut album in 2017 via Secretly Canadian.

For our annual Artist Surveys we emailed the same set of questions to musicians about the various sexual harassment and assault allegations, the “Me Too” movement, the chaotic first year of Donald Trump’s presidency, the Charlottesville alt-right rally and racism in America, embarrassing moments, professional regrets, which Breakfast Club character they are most like, the end of the world, and much more.

Top 10 Albums of 2017

1. Corbin: Mourn

2. Future: FUTURE

3. Kendrick Lamar: DAMN.

4. Playboi Carti: Playboi Carti

5. Lil Peep: Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1

6. SZA: Ctrl

7. 21 Savage, Offset, & Metro Boomin: Without Warning

8. Princess Nokia: 1992 Deluxe

9. Gucci Mane Metro Boomin: Droptopwop

10. Yung Thug: Beautiful Thugger Girls

What was the highlight of 2017 for either you personally or for the band? What was the low point?

2017 was a big year for us, we released our first full-length and started getting a taste of what life on tour is like. I would say the low point was adapting to a new life, but that was also the highlight. I can’t say I’m the same person that I was at the beginning of the year.

2017 saw sexual harassment and assault allegations against many men in the music industry, film industry, journalism, politics, and elsewhere (including Harvey Weinstein, Matt Mondanile of Ducktails and Real Estate, Brand New’s Jesse Lacey, Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., Charlie Rose, Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, Democratic Senator Al Franken, and others). Why do you think the floodgates opened in 2017 and do you think any meaningful change will come from it or will sexual harassment and assaults continue to be prevalent in certain industries?

The floodgates happened because we people are finally gathering the courage to denounce centuries of abuse. And in 2017 we have enough support and attention to start doing it. I think this is just the beginning of new dynamics between men and women in general and I’m hopeful, I’m certainly not going to stop fighting and saying what I think and I know I’m not the only one.

In 2017 the “Me Too” and “It Was Me” social media hashtags further brought sexual assault and harassment to light. Have you ever been the victim of harassment or assault, or witnessed such behavior, or been the perpetrator? And what concrete steps can be taken to combat sexual harassment and assault in the music industry and make it a more welcoming place for women?

Yes, I have been a victim and a witness. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a woman who hasn’t been either of these. I can’t give any solutions other than to continue forever to apply the golden rule and BE AN EXAMPLE. I think everyone has to start bettering themselves first and being the change they want to see in the world. It should be so simple: Why do you treat women differently than you would treat your male peers? In terms of general respect, let alone sexual harassment. It baffles me to no end.

It has been said that 2016 was the year your favorite artist died, and, because of the litany of sex scandals, 2017 is the year that your favorite artist became dead to you. Which artist did you stop being a fan of this year? Which public person would you be most devastated to learn had a history of abusive or predatory behavior?

One of my favorite artists died in 2017. Honestly, I wouldn’t be devastated for anyone. I don’t love anyone’s art more than I love myself and other women.

Should we be able to separate an artist‘s work from his or her actions? Or should an artist‘s negative behaviors completely negate the quality of his or her work?

I think it’s up to everyone to find their boundaries, and engage with artists based on their moral codes. I find this to be a difficult question to answer because I know a lot of artists are tormented people. I think that’s where some of the best art comes from: misery. In those circumstances it can be hard to be the best person you can be. Like where I come from, I grew up poor, with severe abandonment issues, and dealt with a lot of bullying as a child and it has affected me and my behavior as a young adult. I have made mistakes, I have been abusive, I fell to the ground so many times, but my community was there for me and lifted me up when I made steps towards change. I’ll always be thankful for that and I think it is important to give people space to learn their lessons and make appropriate steps to better themselves.

The first year of the Trump administration has been chaotic to say the least. What has President Donald Trump done so far that most concerns or angers you? Is there anything President Trump has done, proposed, or said that you actually agree with? Why do you think his base continues to support him?

Everything he does is cause for concern or high emotion, I think it’s a tactic to distract us from loving ourselves and others.

Many predicted President Donald Trump wouldn’t last long in the White House and yet he’s still there. At this point how hopeful are you that he’ll be impeached? Barring that, how optimistic are you that he won’t win reelection? And although it’s still very early, is there already a potential candidate you would most like to see run for president in 2020?

First of all, no more celebrities!!! I don’t know that impeachment would be a good solution. I am on the other hand hopeful that he won’t be reelected, especially if the Democrats learn their lessons from the Hillary Clinton fiasco.

The alt-right/neo-Nazi/KKK rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the ensuing violence, and President Trump’s reluctance to condemn such hate groups further showed that racism is alive and well in America. What concrete steps can we take to improve race relations in America and the world at large?

It would help if a lot of people looked inside of themselves and started attacking, then healing the things they don’t like within themselves, rather than looking out and finding differences. Focusing on love and on acceptance is a beautiful ideal. It’s easier said than done, but it’s something that we can all work at individually for a better world, for ourselves and for our peers.

2017 saw several music festivals cancelled due to low ticket sales (not to mention the Fyre Festival debacle in the Bahamas). Are there too many music festivals right now?

Yes.

Which Breakfast Club character are you most like and why?

I don’t really know this movie enough to answer the question. Beats me, I’ve seen it twice and can’t really remember any of the characters very well.

Tell us about the best and worst dates you’ve ever been on.

I don’t really date.

What’s the most embarrassing (or funniest) thing that’s happened to you in front of your bandmates (or on stage)?

I announced that we were going to premiere a song and started coughing uncontrollably, then told everybody we couldn’t play the song. It was funny though, usually I would’ve been mortified but I felt the humor real bad.

What’s your biggest professional regret?

I’ve let others speak through me and have made decisions based on fear and stress rather than from my heart.

If you heard that the world was ending in one week who would be the first person you’d call and what are some of the things you’d do in that week?

I would kill my enemies with my hands because it wouldn’t matter anymore. Then I’d kiss everyone I see, and try all the things I’ve always been attracted to but have been too scared to pursue. I would just go nuts I think, like super manic. Maybe I’d try to jump from one roof to another and see how that feels. I’d have lots of crazy sex. I don’t know, I’d just let loose.

If you could time travel what advice would you give to your childhood or teenage self?

I wouldn’t give myself advice because I think all the hardships I’ve gone through have helped me strengthen my character, and I’m proud to have survived all that came my way. I would do the time travel, and observe myself, and just try to silently give my younger self love and warmth.

Have you ever come close to dying? What happened?

I think so, this experience actually has changed the way I see the fabric of time. When I was 19 I was very lost and was experimenting with a lot of drugs and not taking care of myself. One time I took way too much of something and got really, really ill. I had visions of myself in the hospital, but at the same time had visions of myself at home or in between time. I think I was in between time. In this weird state I saw this hand reaching for me, and I grabbed it, it pulled me back into reality. But I always thought that I peeked into two versions of my destiny at once and chose the one where I lived.

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