For our very first issue, we asked Halifax song-writer Jon McKiel some hard-hitting questions about books and reading. Jon McKiel plays in a band called Jon McKiel (confusing, I know). They are currently touring Canada and promoting a brand new album called “The Nature of Things.” Our favourite lyrics: “1, 2, 3 my friends like to read.” Go to the band’s website to learn more about concert dates: jonmckiel.com

 

The Southernmost Review: What is your favourite word?

Jon McKiel: Scissors.  It’s one of the best sounding words in our language. Sometimes English is a boring language (compared to Spanish, French or Arabic, for example) but if there were more words like scissors flying around, life would sound better.  

SMR: Who is your favorite fictional character?

JM: Holden Caulfield.

SMR: When you buy a hard cover book, what do you do with the dust jacket?

JM: The dust jacket usually stays on for some time then falls off and gets thrown away or lost during the reading process. 

SMR: If you were stranded on Pluto, which would you choose to take with you—an unlimited supply of music, or an unlimited supply of books?

JM: If I had to choose between music or books, I’d have to go with music. Not that one is better than the other, but I'm a musician. I've never been more moved by music than books though.

SMR: What are you reading right now?

JM: I'm currently reading "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" (Mark Haddon) which is great. Very light but addictive and compelling. The protagonist (a boy with autism) could turn out to be my favorite character since Holden Caulfield. I'll let you know how that turns out.