ANNE MARIE TO STEPHEN:

AM: What is your favorite song?

SB: alright by EKKSTACY. Had it on my list and really kicking myself for not including it.

AM: Have you heard any of these tracks before?

SB: Other than the one above, just Wanna Go Back.

AM: In the alternate reality where you’re a legendary musician, what venue (from any time period) would you want to play?

SB: What a great question. The “from any time period” is the real wrinkle here. Let’s go with three answers on a spectrum. If I was really going for legendary audio quality and a venue that was designed for clarity and precision I’d say Sydney Opera House. Next is Red Rocks in Colorado. But at the end of the day, I think I’d mostly enjoy playing in tiny places like CBGB where you can feel the energy of the crowd and the music you play could end up starting a riot.

STEPHEN TO ANNE MARIE:

SB: What is your favorite song?

AM: I hate that you’re always right but also it’s good to be “seen” in life, right? Right?? Cool-Doug, at Night by Sammy Rae & The Friends — which you already knew!! I think I’m gonna change my name to Cool-Doug. I always hated it when people hyphenated Anne-Marie — but I’m coming around to it now!

SB: Have you heard any of these tracks before?

AM: Heather Russell, Say Hello.

SB: I was reminded with my latest entry of Heather Russell’s Otherside, that there are some songs I’ll listen to over and over just to hear the artist hit one, spectacular note. It stops you dead in your tracks and you sit there in awe. They’re transcendent. There are a few artists who keep making repeat appearances, such as Jake Wesley Rogers (see Weddings & Funerals and his rerndition of Oh Holy Night) and Stephen Sanchez (see Be More) and pretty much any Foxy Shazam song. What notes in which songs left a lasting impression on you?

AM: Funny you bring this up, because I think you’re more genetically, melodically inclined than me. Where you have a note that you go back to over and over and over again, for me, it’s usually a line, a phrase, it’s all narrative. From the last few years, Khi Infinite’s song DEEP END is a big one for me, which starts with, “They say home is where the heart is, guess I’m in love again” and then the hook is “don’t leave me in the deep end” — plus so many other good lyrics in this song. All about realizing that you are already falling in love when you didn’t think you were. The surprise of that particular moment. The “Oh shit, I’m in the deep end.” I think his lyrics capture the ethereal, intangible wonder of realizing how amazing it is, and also how terrifying to know you’re now so, so vulnerable to another person. It takes me right to those moments in my own life.