The Sunset Tavern is nearly empty as I wait for April Smith. She's entertaining a couple of older ladies that drove over two hours to see her show on a Wednesday night. They're disappointed because most flyers advertised her to go on at 8:30 but she won't be starting until 10:30. Eventually, after deciding they'll catch her in Spokane over the weekend (they end up coming back), the women leave and I say hello, apologizing for being late. April is friendly and polite assuries me it's OK. She says she needs some coffee, and we agree to to go find some. Over coffee and cupcakes from Verite, she answered some questions between mouthfuls.
bogdan mohora for melophobe: When I talked to you on the phone earlier today, you were on the road. Where were you coming from?
April Smith: We came from Portland. We played Mississippi Studios last night and it was a good show, really cool venue. We've played Portland a couple times. I got my hair cut and colored which was exciting for me.
melophobe: So you came down in a van. What are you listening to, to soften the hard life on the road?
April Smith: I kinda like to flip through the radio. I've forgotten how much I enjoy relying on the luck of the draw when you're flipping through radio stations. And I love NPR. Any time I can find a public radio station I love to tune into that. here are a couple of programs that I really like. I love "Prairie Home Companion." I love "This American Life," "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" and "Morning Edition." Public radio is a comfort on the road.
melophobe: And you had a song featured on NPR recently?
April Smith: We did. On NPR's song of the day. We entered to compete in Prairie Home Companion's battle of the bands. We actually won the competition, so that really launched us and helped us get attention.
melophobe: You were auditioning suitcase players on your website for the tour. Any success?
April Smith: Yeah, we've had somebody in pretty much every city since we started. Tonight I think we have a friend who sent in an audition video. She has a really cool set up. We've had some really great suitcase players.
melophobe: The story about how you funded Songs for a Sinking Ship is really cool because you raised money through Kickstarter.com. You were offering cookies and personalized songs in return for donations. How many cookies did you have to bake?
April Smith: Well, those were for a certain level. And actually there were only two people that got [the personalized songs] and I'm working on those songs right now. I think I have one finished but I have to finish the other one. Then I have to get started on those cookies.
melophobe: You've received much deserved praise for Songs for a Sinking Ship from Rolling Stone to Perez Hilton. Have you been following the feedback?
April Smith: Yeah, everyone's been really nice. I'm really happy with the way that it's been received. I think that we've done some really cool things for not having a label. "Terrible Things" is being used for the season six promo for "Weeds," which is really cool. Good things things are happening; it just takes time and hopefully they'll keep happening.
melophobe: In retrospect, is there anything you would've liked to do with the album that you didn't have the chance to?
April Smith: You know, I think maybe the next album I'd like it to be a touch more live sounding or maybe even recorded live. There's a chemistry when we play live that's really nice.
melophobe: So what do you have planned for yourself this summer? Anything that you're really excited about?
April Smith: You know, I'm really excited to see my dog. I miss her a whole lot. And I'm really looking forward to hopefully writing a little bit more this summer.
melophobe: I read that you judge people based on how long you think they'd survive in a slasher flick.
April Smith: [laughs] Yes, I do.
melophobe: If April Smith and The Great Picture Show were in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, who's getting killed first?
April Smith: I feel like Stevens would probably be the first to go. He's so thoughtful and I love the guy--he's been with me the longest out of everybody--but I just picture him maybe saving somebody else. I'm going to talk to him about it. I think Nick would come out on top though. I like to think I'd make it pretty far, but I don't know.
