Avril Lavigne Interview

why is she famous? After her first single, "Complicated," hit the airwaves, it was only a matter of time before teenage girls worldwide would start wearing neckties and wristbands. And after the release of her first album, Let Go, it seems the world couldn't get enough of this Canadian-born singer. Now, with the release of her second musical effort, Under My Skin, there's no doubt that Avril has proven that she's on the path to musical longevity.  quick bio Avril Lavigne was born in Napanee, Ontario, on September 27, 1984. By age 10, she was singing country music in competitions. Three years later, Avril began making her impact outside of Napanee, as her vocal skill won her a trip to Ottawa, to perform a duet with country music star Shania Twain.  By the time Avril reached high school, she began sending videotapes of her stage performances to labels and management companies throughout North America. Her talent eventually caught the eyes (or ears) of Nettwerk Management, an organization that fostered other such Canadian acts as Sarah McLachlan, Sum 41 and Barenaked Ladies.  Lucky for Avril, an Arista Records rep visited her at her studio and later returned with Arista CEO Antonio "LA" Reid and immediately signed the then 16-year-old to a contract.  Avril's first single, "Complicated," was released in the early spring of 2002, and began scaling the charts across the continent. The popularity of "Complicated" paved the way for the success of Avril's first full-length CD, Let Go, which debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard charts in June 2002.  Avril boasts a staggering fan base, and the media interest surrounding this young singer seems far from receding. And although Avril just recently released her second album,Under My Skin, she took time out of her busy schedule to sit down and talk with us. If you want to check out more of Avril, check out Avril-Lavigne.com.

Q: Your second album is out; tell us about how this album is different from your initial release.

I think the lyrics have more to them. It's just deeper. I'm more or less a singer/songwriter. It's more emotional and I think that it's because I'm older and can express myself better.

Q: Do you see anything different in the way guys act with you?

Well yeah, some people don't act... some people are just affected, and you can tell by the way they act that they think it's cool because it's you. I don't date people like that. I date people who are unaffected.

¿ Quick fact ? Avril Lavigne travels with a bag of neckties. Some she bought and the rest she took from her dad.

Q: Do you find people have a preconceived idea of who you are?

Yeah, everyone does because no one really knows what I'm really like, and you won't unless you spend a day with me, or if you're my friend. No one ever knows what anyone is really like. Read all the interviews you want on them, it's just the media talking and you can't really get to know someone that way, obviously.

Q: You wrote with Chantal Kreviazuk. What kind of conversation goes on in a chick-bonding session?

We were working from midnight until 5 in the morning. We were just getting together. We would buy a whole bunch of chocolate bars, and we would go to Starbucks and sit, and get really hyper and just write songs and talk about personal things. She's 10 years older than me, so she has a few years on me and can give me advice and also, she learned things from me.

Q: You spent some time in California, how was that?

It was a lot of fun. I was there for about seven months and it gave me the opportunity to finally settle down again and live a normal lifestyle and just do regular things. I was living at Chantal's house, so I was staying in a home, which was really nice. I had a car, I made friends, I just did normal things and it was really fun. Working out of the home studio was nice, and I worked with other people.

How does Avril feel about the fact that SNL does skits based on her?Q: How did you choose the people who helped you co-produce and write?

I worked with Butch Walker on "Don't Tell Me" a couple of years ago, after the CD had come out. I just knew about him and had him demo the songs because I had written them and wanted to record them right away. So I ended up using him again, I think he's really talented. I worked with Don Gilmore because I love his work, and after working with Chantal, we decided to get Raine [Maida] to produce this. I picked the people myself.

Q: Do you think the impersonation SNL does of you is accurate?

No, it's way off. I was actually there the next week. I believe the girl's name is Amy [Poehler] who did the impersonation of me. I gave her sh*t for it. She said it's "all in good fun," and we gave each other a hug. It doesn't really matter, it's just fun.

Q: Do you think you'll have a hard time getting your fans to give your album a try, now that they're two years older?

I have grown, and I have been asked if the fans will be too young for the record, because the record is older. Hopefully, the fans have grown with me.

Q: Do you prefer touring or being in the studio, writing and producing?

I prefer both of them. There's something in the middle; you work on the record -- writing and recording -- I totally love that. Then you're out for half a year or a year, depending on who you are and what your career is like at the time, and you do promo for about that long. Then you go on tour. I'm not touring until the end of the year and in 2005.

¿ Quick fact ? Avril Lavigne broke Madonna's record when her hit song, "Complicated," held the No. 1 spot on the Contemporary Hit Radio chart for 11 weeks in a row. Madonna's record was 10 weeks, with the song "Music."

Q: Where's your favorite place to travel?

One of my favorite countries is Italy.

Q: What would you do if you were a guy for a day?

I'd do everything I want to do now; being a girl doesn't really stop me.

Q: Any parting words for your fans?

Thank you for being so supportive and I'm extremely excited about this record and I hope you guys are too.

Q: Avril, we are all excited to see more of you...