A Tucson native, Sara Habib is one of the two co-founders (with Yassi Jahanmir) of the Tucson Fringe Theater Festival. Back for its second year, Fringe runs Thursday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Beowulf Alley Theatre and Solar Culture Gallery. Check out tucsonfringe.org for the details.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
Boyz II Men at the Tucson Convention Center. Those guys were really amazing vocalists.
What are you listening to these days?
Tracks from performers in this year's Fringe. Fish Karma's got a show in the festival that's pretty rock-tastic, and members of 8 Minutes to Burn and Sweet Ghosts are combining talents for a vaudeville-esque revue.
What was the first album you owned?
Paula Abdul. I played that tape until the ribbon broke.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
Well, I enjoy a lot of different music. There are elements of say, Amon Tobin, or Björk, or Grinderman that don't seem accessible, but if you hear it in the right moment, it totally clicks.
What musical act, current or defunct,would you most like to see perform live?
Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash and Tupac. Also, there are artists I've always wanted to see who would be truly amazing now that they have this fantastic catalog of work, like Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and Springsteen.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I love Top 40, like Katy Perry. ... Sometimes you just want something silly!
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Cat Power's "The Greatest."
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
For me, it's been more about what I've been listening to when my life changed. You connect to different music in different ways as you grow. I love strong female vocalists, and smart songwriters. In that context, I'd say the Dixie Chicks.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Right now, it's The National's High Violet again. But ask me next week, and I'll give you a different answer.
