All The Time

strokesvault:

**A rock and fashion icon, The Strokes leader has a successful solo career and has an honest talk.

What is one main characteristic that you have?

Hard Worker.  But it doesn’t only mean working in the studio; it’s an attitude, a permanent fight, telling yourself you can always do better.

Part of your personality that you’re least proud of?

I control my emotions too much.  I don’t let go enough.

What would you change about yourself?

I’m a mess.  I’m really not good at organizing.

What’s on your iPod?

Bob Marley and The Wailers

The best song of all time?

Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come

Do you have any tricks to beat stress?

For a long time, it was alcohol.  I was in physical pain when I didn’t drink.  I’ve stopped drinking because I’ve lost so many memories.

What do you do to help the environment?

I don’t let the tap run when I brush my teeth.

Who are your heroes?

In general, all historical personalities who led their people on the road to freedom.  Gandhi, for example.  Unfortunately, he paid his life doing it.

Elegance is…

Showing consideration to other people.

Vulgarity is…

Ignorant and angry people.

Favorite writers?

Dostoevsky and Oscar Wilde.

A gift you often give?

Books.

3 basics in your closet?

Jeans, sneakers, and a leather jacket.

Ideal guests for a dinner party?

A movie director and the members of Arctic Monkeys.

Favorite French saying?

Allez les Bleus!

What do you hate most?

Violence and instruction.

What have you learned recently?

That you need to surround yourself with people that help you grow as a person.  I also learned to listen more carefully to what I want.  I’ve gotten more confident.

What would you want people to think about you?

“He’s handsome and charming.”  No, seriously, I hope people think I’m honest and trying to do the best I can at what I do.

Where would you like to live?

Los Angeles. The weather there is great.  And Hawaii, heaven on earth.  But I still live in New York, I have ties there.  We feel like moving, my wife and I, but we haven’t decided.

Have any fears?

I’ve been spending a lot of time in Los Angeles lately, where you can’t live without a car.  I love driving, but sometimes I’m afraid of dying in a car accident.

Most stylist rock icon?

Can I say it’s me? (laughs)

What do you like most about being a rock star?

Recording albums.  It allows you to make the songs that you imagined.  And touring, traveling, all the people you meet.

What do you like the least?

Having to answer these kinds of questions.

Rolling Stones or Beatles?

Velvet Underground.

Earliest childhood memory?

I was at the beach with my parents.  I was being spanked, but I don’t remember why.

What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?

I could never see further than two or three days ahead.  But I’m starting to wonder about aging and growing old, even if I’m only 31.

Next step?

I’m going to be a dad for the first time.

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