Not Sick of Sick of Sarah

The first thing Abisha Uhl said to me as our interview began was, “I’m driving, so I’m going to call you right back.”

Usually I would be miffed when a popular band—Minneapolis-bred, too—spurned me before I even got a question in. But I’d hate for anyone to get into a car crash because they are too enamored with the words coming out of my mouth. And Abisha was true to her word. She called me back (but tardy, in true rock star fashion).

HPR: So I have heard the band was named after a former roommate—Sarah—who was sick of her name. How many times do you get asked during an interview, “Who is Sarah and why are you so sick of her?”

AU: Every time.

HPR: Besides poor Sarah, what else are you sick of?

AU: We don’t like unloading and loading and pretty much moving.

HPR: During the presidential campaign, did you ever consider changing your name to “Sick of Sarah Palin”?

AU: No, but we did think that was really funny.

HPR: Do you ever wish you stayed with the catchy name “Sparkle Motion”?

AU: No. That name was no good, and it was already taken by nine bands in Jersey.

HPR: Describe your music in three words or less.

AU: Good. Awesome. Superfun.

HPR: Sometimes you break out a tambourine at your concerts, even being so bold to throw it to drunk fans, including me one time. How do you pick which drunk fan to throw it to?

AU: Before the show, we scope out the joint and find the most intriguing fan. And then we decide. It’s a process, like an elimination process. The time we threw it to you, you smelled really good, you had a great smile and a good attitude. It was no contest.

HPR: You are making me blush. Changing gears, where did you buy your bullhorn? Do you consider it a viable musical instrument? Have you ever yelled obscenities through it?

AU: The megaphone is an amazing piece of equipment. It adds a lot of depth and a lot of soul to our music. We got it off of eBay for like six bucks. So . . . what are you wearing?

HPR: Um . . . an orange shirt with a fox on it from Threadless. A yellow blanket like a cape. Jeans. Nothing too sexy. What are you wearing?

AU: I’ve got some gym pants on, a grey t-shirt. Pretty fly.

HPR: How does it feel to be playing three shows in two days in Fargo? It’s like your own mini-festival.

AU: It’s fun. I like to swim at the pool at the hotel. But seriously, we really like Fargo. The people there are wonderful. And you are one of them.

HPR: Favorite bands or singers currently?

AU: On the road, we’re listening to the Melismatics. They are also from Minneapolis. We have a lot of musical interests. We’re down with Weezer, Radiohead, Long Wave. Oh, and you’ve got to put Tegan and Sara in there.

HPR: What type of music do you sing in the shower?

AU: Usually a little bit of Tupac or T.I. I’m really into anything classical with a little bit of funk, country with a little bit of rock. I’ve merged all these genres together into one big love mix.

HPR: If you could cover any song from the past year, what would it be? I call dibs on Adele’s “Chasing Pavements.”

AU: That’s what I would have picked! Probably that one song by the Pussycat Dolls [laughs]. Taylor Swift, “Love Story.” Or Aly and AJ’s “Potential Break Up.” Anything by Aaron Carter. His remix. I hear the Backstreet Boys are back, so maybe something by them.

HPR: What’s your favorite shot to be given as your show plays on?

AU: Give all the girls whiskey.

HPR: You’ve been gracing Fargo with your fair presence quite frequently. What keeps you coming back for more?

AU: I’m going to Fargo just to see Kim.