A new album, a whirlwind tour—Avril Lavigne continues to strike a chord

By Hina P. Ansari

When this Napanee, Ont., native debuted in June 2002 with her landmark CD, Let Go, all tiara-donning pop princesses were running for cover. The memo was out: with Let Go selling 14 million worldwide, receiving eight Grammy nominations and winning four Juno Awards, it was time to trade in the bubblegum for something sharper and crank the volume up. And now with her second album, Under My Skin (BMG), her Palm Pilot is on overdrive. In between the mall tour—her cross-North America in-store gigs—jet-setting to L.A. for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and rehearsing for her scheduled performance at the 33rd Annual Juno Awards, held in Edmonton the next night, she was able to squeeze in an exclusive shoot for FLARE. And just like a favourite concert, the session went by in a flash and she sped back to Rexall Place, where the Junos were set to unfold. In keeping with Lavigne’s no-frills attitude, she emailed us a list of answers to the questions that will give you a glimpse into what makes this rocker tick. Her answers reflect, in true Avril style, that she’s not so complicated.

On style:

FLARE: Do you follow the trends?
Avril Lavigne: Not really. I kinda create my own.

F: What colour do you like to wear right now?
AL: Black.

F: What is your favourite colour right now?
AL: Black.

F: How has your style changed over the years?
AL: Everyone’s style is going to change somewhat. Styles change all the time.

F: What are your favourite shops?
AL: Vintage clothing stores, sk8 shops and rock stores.

F: How do you decide what to wear for a concert or when you’re on tour?
AL: I just grab a pair of pants and a T-shirt or tank top from my suitcase.

On music

F: What is in your CD player right now?
AL: The Used.

F: Who were you looking forward to seeing at this year’s Junos?
AL: Billy Talent.

F: Your fave 2004 Juno moment?
AL: Billy Talent, Three Days Grace and Finger Eleven.

F: Who would you like to jam with?
AL: OutKast.
F: What is your inspiration musically and in life?
AL: My best friend Chantal [Kreviazuk] inspires me in life. Musically? Any band that’s good.

F: What was it like working with other women rockers such as Sarah McLachlan and Chantal Kreviazuk?
AL: I love being able to spend time with other female artists. We can relate.

On life

F: What was the last movie you saw?
AL: 50 First Dates.

F: What flavour of gum is your favourite right now?
AL: Cinnamon.

F: What is something you can’t leave home without?
AL: A hairbrush.

F: Who would you like to play you on the big screen?
AL: Kirsten Dunst.

F: What is the most important thing in your purse right now?
AL: My cell phone.

F: Which hand do you instinctively use to flip the bird?
AL: Right.

F: And most importantly, which hand do you instinctively want to rock with?
AL: Right.