Born in Northridge, Calif., Stefanie Gershon moved to Tucson when she was 8. After a brief stint in the village of Ajijic, Mexico, and time in North Hollywood and Denver, she returned to Tucson in 1988. She began playing the ukulele in 2003 and has played a few shows with local band Muddy Bug, which she hopes to do again. ("Hellooo, club bookers!") She is the proud mother of an 8-year-old son, Sam.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
The first "real" concert I went to sans parents was either MC Hammer or Milli Vanilli. I'm not proud.
What are you listening to these days?
First Aid Kit, obsessively—which is what I do when I find something I love. And Pavement. Always Pavement.
What was the first album you owned?
Madonna's first album. It was a cassette, and I wore it out.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
My answer to this used to always be Calexico, but after seeing them live a couple of times, I'm totally in love. I used to loathe karaoke, but it's grown on me, too. I don't really get Vampire Weekend, I guess.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
George Harrison on ukulele at Plush.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Does Neil Diamond count? I fucking love Neil Diamond. Oh, and John Denver.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Could I book some bands? If not, it'd be "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out," by Cat Stevens.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
The Cure. They were the first band that I became utterly enamored with, devouring everything that I could get my hands on. My love for The Cure is what taught me how to love music.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
I am incapable of thinking about things like this in the long-term. Put on the spot, I'll name my recent favorite album, Elvis Perkins in Dearland.
