BLAIR TEFKIN SOUVENIR INTERVIEW

Nov. 2000

Exclusive to Dena! Picture on the bottom! Posted Dec. 27, 2001

Dena: You attended the "V" con in September 2000.  How did you enjoy the day and what were the highlights for you?

Blair: It was a lovely day.  Just  seeing all these people for whom the show meant so much was really neat.  It was also nice meeting the fans and seeing some of my old co-stars.
 
Dena: Did you find the fans warm & welcoming and did you feel nervous during your presentation?

Blair: The fans were great.  I was a bit nervous at the beginning (mostly because that chair was so high, and I was wearing a dress!), but not much.
 
Dena: You were there with a film crew. Can you tell me more about the documentary they are/were filming about you?

Blair: Those were my friends Alex and Andy.  We just thought it would be fun to film the event and see if there was enough there to put together a little memento from the day.
 
Dena: Were their any faces from the past you were pleased to see and did you renew any old acquaintances?

Blair: It was basically nice to see everyone.  I'm sorry Faye Grant didn't show up.
 
Dena: Emily tells me she may merge a future "V" con with Star Trek. If this comes to pass would you be interested in being a part of it? (Emily headed the convention - company is no longer).

Blair: I`m open to the idea.
 
Dena: You have a new CD out. Can you tell me about some of the songs on the album and besides being lead vocalist, do you write your own stuff and have a hand in any other aspects of production?

Blair: The new CD is called "Shocked and Devastated" and is available at http://www.blairtefkin.com .  I wrote all the songs, produced or co-produced all but a couple songs, played bass and some of the incidental keyboard parts. 
 
Dena: What are your aspirations for the CD and are you planning on storming the charts and taking your act on the road?

Blair: No "storming of the charts" anticipated.  I would love to build a small, devoted following.  A tour would be great down the line.
 
Dena: I listened to the six-track EP "Everything Is Nice" that you gave me at the con. What kind of reaction has it received, and has it achieved success in any way?

Blair: The EP got great reviews and was well received for what was basically a promotional vehicle for the band, and not a proper, full -length CD release. 
 
Dena: The cover/sleeve art is interesting. Who`s the chap on the cover and the gorgeous pooch on the inside sleeve?

Blair: I think the man is a Mexican film star from the 30's or 40's but I'm not sure.  My friend gave it to me and she probably got it at a flea market.  The gorgeous pooch is my dog, Anouk. 
 
Dena: You tell me that Lucie Gamelon is now defunct. What`s the story there and does this mean your going it alone?

Blair: The band is no longer together.  I'm putting this CD out as a "solo" effort, even though my bandmates from Lucie Gamelon played on most of the tracks (it's complicated).
 
Dena: For the benefit of readers who`ve never heard your work, how would you describe yourself musically?

Blair: I will quote a review I think says it best:  "Artful pop suffused with a darkly comic outlook."  (Willamette Week)
 
Dena: Who were your influences?

Blair: Probably the Beatles, through osmosis.  But who I like (Bjork, PJ Harvey, Bowie) isn't at all who I sound like.
 
Dena: Has acting taken backseat to the music, or do you plan to continue on with both?

Blair: I act when someone asks me, but I don't really pursue it.
 
Dena: Any TV/Film work on the horizon?

Blair: My dog and I will appear in the feature film "The Anniversary Party" coming out in 2001.  I have a song on the soundtrack from the new CD ("Troubles") and I also sing an original song I composed to "toast" screen couple Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming in the film.
 
Dena: How did you get into acting, and later the music profession?

Blair: I was very involved in ballet and other performing arts as a child. One thing led to the next. Discovering my "musical" talents was something of a happy accident. I never considered myself a singer, and never imagined I could play an instrument or write a song. I just became determined to play an instrument (bass) and the rest revealed itself.
 
Dena: We all loved you as `Robin` on "V", how did you land the role and what were the best moments during your two-year stint?

Blair: I auditioned for the role and beat out 3 other finalists (Kelly Preston was one of them and the girl from 8 Is Enough, if my memory serves me).  The best part of the two years was being gainfully employed.  When you're an actor, you can go for a long time without working.  I loved being a part of a successful show.
 
Dena: In the show you always seemed to fall for the bad guys. Has Blair Tefkin been more fortunate in her choice of men in real life than her screen persona was?

Blair: I've dated some jerks in my day, but I'm over that.  I have a wonderful boyfriend now.
 
Dena: Do you have a website that features career updates and ordering details for CDs?

Blair: Yes, at http://www.blairtefkin.com .

Dena Vaughan & Blair Tefkin, Sept. 2000