The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
We talk to star DJ Ana Matronic
Q Where in the world are you happiest?
A Honestly, where I’m happiest is not a place, but a person – my husband, Seth Kirby.
Q Favourite part of Scotland to explore?
A Although I have been to Scotland several times, it’s only been quick trips for work. I would love a chance to explore – first stop would be Loch Lomond so I could sing the song at the top of my lungs. I’d also really love to get to know Glasgow. I’ve had such fun every time I’ve been and I know so many brilliant people from there – pure dead brilliant people, you might say. After that, hey, just point to a spot and I’ll go!
Q What would you have done if you hadn’t been a singer/dj/artist/author? A If performing and music hadn’t come to pay the bills, I’m quite sure I’d be working as a make-up artist.
Q What song gets the dance floor?
you on
A After a year of pandemic, it’s probably easier to list what won’t get me on a dance floor. But I cannot wait to dance to my friend
Hifi Sean’s new mix of Shout It To The Top by Fire Island ft Loleatta Holloway, preferably with Sean Djing it.
Q Your favourite band/ singer of all time and why?
A It would be hard to tell you my favourite band or singer because I have such a wide and varied taste. If you asked me when I was 10, it would be Duran Duran; at 15, it would have been Siouxsie Sioux. When I was 22, it would be Blondie and Debbie Harry; at 35 it would be Otis Redding. Now, it’s still all of those but my favourites are Pointer Sisters (especially their ’70s catalogue) and Roisin Murphy is everything I need in a dance floor diva right now – equal parts warm and cool, glamorous and accessible, totally creative and kooky and 100% authentic.
Q Your house is on fire – what one item do you save?
A If I had time to only grab one item (and the people and animals were safe), it would be my mother’s painting. She was an icon painter and named me after St Anna (or St Anne, the Virgin Mary’s mother). Her favourite image of holy women is of St Anna holding Mary, and this painting sits in my office.
Q If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do? A Protect all the fresh water sources on the planet.
Q Favourite holiday destination?
A Whenever I go to Italy, I never want to leave. Portami tutta la pasta!
Q What was the last book you read?
A Paris Noir: African Americans In The City Of Light by Tyler Stovall.
Q What was the first album you ever bought? A Oh No! It’s Devo. When I was six years old.
Q What is the best advice you have received, and who did it come from?
A “Never refuse a free meal” from my mother, a starving artist.
Q
Who or what inspires you?
A The queer community.
Q Who do you admire most?
A Caregivers.
Q And who do you detest? A Hypocrites.
Q Cats or dogs? Or any other animals?
A I love both, but I’m definitely a cat person.
I find most animals fascinating, and would very much like to give a cuddle to a wombat, caracal, red panda or hedgehog (in that order).
Q
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
A Help my mother navigate illness and the last years of her life. Dementia took her years before death did. My heart goes out to anybody struggling with this horrible disease.
Q Could you save someone’s life if they were dying in the street? A I do know CPR, but I could use a refresher. It’s been a good couple of decades.
Q What’s your motto? A Anything worth doing worth overdoing.
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Night Fever: Designing Club Culture, runs at V&A Dundee until January 9 2022. vam.ac.uk/dundee/