The Q&A: Rebecca Vasmant
Pioneering DJ/producer/label boss Rebecca Vasmant has a busy summer ahead with festival appearances, headline gigs and a second album. She takes on this Q&A to tell us about buying a horse, getting emotional about said horse, and hoping she’s reincarnated as, you guessed it, a horse
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Who would you like to see playing you in the movie about your life? I would love to see my grandmother play me so that she could be back with us and see all of the things I have been doing since she’s been gone and hopefully make her proud.
What’s the punchline to your favourite joke? ‘The music industry is gender equal.’
If you were to return in a future life as an animal, what would it be? Definitely a horse. These beautiful animals feel so connected, deep and in tune with their own and other beings’ emotions and I would love to experience that through a horse’s eyes.
If you were playing in an escape room, name two other people you’d recruit to help you get out? I would recruit my best friend because she is always calm and clear-thinking in a crisis, and my partner because he is the same. Plus, I trust both people with my life and know they would get us out of anything together as a team.
When was the last time you were mistaken for someone else and what were the circumstances? I have actually never been mistaken for someone else! I don’t quite know what that means; probably something deep but I’m not sure what.
What’s the best cover version ever? Bobby Womack’s version of ‘California Dreamin’’ by Barry McGuire.
Whose speaking voice soothes your ears? Has to be Erykah Badu.
Tell us something you wish you had discovered sooner in life? I wish I had discovered being kinder to myself sooner in life. That and the absolute joy of playing music to people as a DJ, because I started fairly late, around 22.
Describe your perfect Saturday evening? Playing a brilliant early-hours show, followed by an evening of being with every single person I love who are all in the same place at once.
If you were a ghost, who would you haunt? I’d definitely haunt all of the people I love, so that I could alter their realities and make everything amazing for them every day.
If you could relive any day of your life, which one would it be? I would relive every happy day I have ever had, because they’re all as special as the other days.
What’s your earliest recollection of winning something? I won a stuffed animal from a claw machine at a music festival which was around eight years ago. I’m not really sure I can remember winning anything else.
Did you have a nickname at school that you were ok with? And can you tell us a nickname you hated? I was called Rebs which I loved because it’s cute and only my friends called me that. I was also called Froggy because my dad is French which was mean.
If you were to start a tribute act to a band or singer, who would it be in tribute to? I would start a Nina Simone tribute.
When were you most recently astonished by something? Last time I ate cheese fondue or listened to any Sault music because both are equally astonishing experiences.
Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise people? I own a horse called Peso.
When did you last cry? The day I bought Peso!
What tune do you find it impossible not to get up and dance to, whether in public or private? Anything that moves me emotionally and makes me feel happy.
Which famous person would be your ideal holiday companion? Any nice person who is also famous, so that we could have a cute time and make a great new friend from the holiday.
What’s the most hi-tech item in your home? My brain.
What’s a skill you’d love to learn but never got round to? Figure skating. I always thought it was beautiful but never built up the courage to try it.
By decree of your local council, you’ve been ordered to destroy one room in your house and all of its contents. Which room do you choose? None because I love all the rooms in my house, so would absolutely refuse.
If you were selected as the next 007, where would you pick as your first luxury destination for espionage? Glasgow, 100%. Glasgow is amazing and needs to be in a movie like that. I love it so much.
Rebecca Vasmant’s single Sun Song featuring Emilie Boyd is released on Thursday 3 April with new album Who We Are, Becoming released on Friday 9 May, both via Women In Jazz x New Soil; Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble plays Queen’s Park Spring Weekender, Glasgow, Saturday 3 May and Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Wednesday 14 May; main picture: Ellie Koepke.