Em asks:
Hey Tegan,
Random question: Did you rush into getting any of your
tattoos and do you ever regret getting any of your tattoos?
Thanks :)
-em
Hey Em!
I don't think I rushed into any of them but some I think I
could have definitely thought longer about or used someone more experienced. But I love them all the same anyway! I definitely think anyone thinking of getting their first tattoo should wait until their twenties and think long and hard about it!
Good luck!
-Tegan
Sarah writes:
Hey Tegan!
I've always wondered why there are two different versions
of If It
Was You. In particular, I've noticed that the
Canadian album has a
different version of And Darling than the American
one. Why did you
guys choose to/have to do this? Thanks!
-Sarah
Hey Sarah!
Well, its been a long time since we made those decisions so
I can't
quite remember why we did it the way we did. That was in
the early
2000's
when downloading was just starting to get popular and a lot
of the
record companies were panicking and adding extra
tracks/bonus features
to ensure fans bought the record! That's potentially NOT
why that
happened but that's what I'm sticking with! ha.
-Tegan
Janelle asks:
Hi Tegan!
What are the best and worst things you've ever experienced
with your
band, with Sara, with your parents, and just by yourself?
Janelle
Janelle!
Geez! Complicated question! ha. The worst things I've
experienced as a
person, with my band, Sara and my parents have been all
pretty much
the same thing. Obviously death and illness are tough ones.
I've lost
a few very close people to me and that's been hard for all
of us in
our family. The band has gone through many incarnations and
its always
difficult to let go of people and hire new people. Sara and
I have
struggled to find our way and make space for one another
over our
career and long before that as teenagers and children. But
you get
through it. I try to always take a minute each day to be
grateful for
what I have and remind myself that it could be worse and
then I keep
going!
-Tegan
Kayla asks:
Dear Tegan,
What is the meaning behind The Con music video? I
always thought
Sara was saving you from yourself maybe?
Love,
Kayla
Hey Kayla!
As the video was a collaboration with us and the director I
can't take
full credit for the whole thing. But my inspiration while
performing
in the video was to imagine myself tortured over something,
almost
trapped in thinking about it and Sara has to come and save
me. The
therapist is mainly just bored but morphs at one point into
a
balaclava wearing therapist and I think that was a way to
tie in the
themes from the Back In Your Head video. Basically both of
us were
very influenced by The Con and the concept that you could
be tortured
just to be tortured and that some times you just need
someone to take
you down. Slap you out of it. Or in the video's case, flee
a creepy
hotel in New West!
-Tegan
Jessie writes:
Hey Tegan,
I was just wondering if you had any advice to a young
person trying
to come out in a religious household? I have always been
raised with
the belief that being gay is wrong, disgusting, and even
"from the
devil" it is making things extremely hard to try and find a
way to
come out to my family. I know you weren't raised in a
religious
household but I was wondering if you would have any advice
or input.
Thanks,
-Jessie
Hey Jessie
First off, I just want to tell you that you are not wrong
or
disgusting or from the devil. I don't believe being gay can
make you
any of those things. I also don't believe in the devil.
Eww. I'm sorry
that you're being raised in such a household. I'm sure even
though
your parents think that way that they do love you. I've
seen a lot of
kids in the exact situation you're in and I've seen their
parents come
around. Its not always easy and it takes time so be
patient. As Dan
Savage always says, WAIT if you're still living at home or
your
parents are paying for your college if you think they'll
kick you out,
endanger your life or cut off your school payments. I think
standing
up for who you are and standing up to them is important but
not if it
will ruin your life. There are a lot of ways to be OUT
without being
banished from home. All that being said, you need to follow
your heart
and do what you have to do. Remind your parents that they
made you who
you are. You come from them. They should love you
unconditionally. If
you believe in God then you know God loves you
unconditionally. At
least that's what I've heard ;)
-Tegan
Ellie writes:
Tegan,
I'm 20 years old and still haven't come out to my
parents. When I
was younger I always told myself that I'd have to tell them
one day.
But now that I'm older I'm beginning to think that maybe
they really
don't need to know. Why rock the boat, you
know? Do you think it's
important for me to come out to them or is it fine to just
not say
anything?
Love Always,
Ellie
Ellie,
I think you need to follow your heart. I really believe
that everyone
has their own path. I think if every gay person on the
planet stood up
and came out the world would change in a second. Obviously
that is not
going to happen though and so each person has to decide
for
themselves. I can't demand anyone come out as I don't know
their
situation. I did date someone who's family didn't know and
it was very
difficult. Ultimately, unless you're estranged from your
family, they will
eventually find out and so you might as well do it at some
point!
Good luck!
-Tegan
Dear everyone who reads this Q+A,
I was forwarded a lot of questions about my personal
relationship this
month and since the questions were all pretty much about
one thing
I've decided to write you back all together.
I am NOT engaged nor am I getting married anytime soon! The
ring
you're all asking about is awesome and fits that finger!
That's it! No
big secret! Although I have been in a serious relationship
for many
years now and love my partner very much I don't see
marriage as an
option. Gay marriage is legal in Canada but as it's only
legal in a few
American states, for the time being I am abstaining in
solidarity
with the Americans who can't get married!
Thanks for prying. ;)
-Tegan Quin