The List: Carole Pope
The post-punk queen of raunch, who’s performing a tribute to Neil Young at Luminato this month, picks 10 things she can’t live without By Amy Verner
My two colognes
I wear Molecule 02 by Escentric. I also love Sequoia by Comme des Garçons. I tried it on in a store and walked out and said, “Oh my god, I’m so turned on by me.” Then I went back and bought it.
My Schwinn faux mountain bike
When I lived in L.A., I used it for transportation. I just moved to New York, and it’s a bitch in the winter. But I love path biking.
Dark chocolate
The less sugar the better. I look at the percentage of cocoa, and I usually buy only 70 or 85 per cent. I even like that 99 per cent kind.
Björk
She is god. I’m a fan of everything she does, but the album I listen to most is Homogenic. I think she’s so innovative and inspirational. She’s one of the best performers I’ve ever seen, and I have seen pretty much everybody. Plus, her boyfriend, the artist Matthew Barney, is super-cool.
Libraries
I’m a library freak. I have library cards for New York, L.A. and Toronto. When I’m here, I go to the Yorkville branch (22 Yorkville Ave., 416-323-7660). I like bitter English writers. I’m a big fan of Martin Amis.
A big breakfast
I always go to The Senator when I’m in town (249 Victoria St., 416-364-7517). I like the Senator Breakfast—bacon, eggs, challah toast, beans and home fries—because it’s over the top.
My vintage Vivienne Westwood raincoat
I call it my vampire trench. It’s from the ’80s, and it’s black and plasticky. I met her once, and she was wearing the tweed version. It almost looks like something Yohji Yamamoto would design. I got rid of all my other ’80s clothes, and now I could shoot myself because they could be museum pieces.
My mother’s ring
I have a beautiful art deco ring that belonged to my mother, who died in 1978. It’s gold with a couple of diamonds and green gemstones. I don’t wear it that often because I’m afraid I might lose it.
My Fender Mustang guitar
I’ve had it more than 20 years. It’s exactly like the Fender Telecaster, but smaller. When I’m writing, I play it two or three times a week.
Absorbing art
I’m obsessed with art, new and classical. I’m a huge fan of John Singer Sargent. I used to paint portraits, so I can relate. And he was also a big queen; he has all these paintings of himself and people who look kind of gay lounging around. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be Nonchaloir.
Photographs: Pope, library cards and guitar by Caroll Tavares; painting courtesy of National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
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