Date: 2004 Author: Jenna Wright Publication: martlet.ca Headline: So Jealous Hits Victoria

"Oh, I'm up and at it," Tegan replies when I ask if my phone call is too early. By the end of the interview, it's obvious that these words hold true. Tegan and Sara Quin are surely "up and at it," exploring the potential of their music in every possible way. When these young women aren't busy rehearsing for the tour for their newest album, So Jealous, they're rockin' out, learning the ins and outs of the business of making records. Tegan learned Pro Tools to record demos and Final Cut Pro to make videos. Sara did the artwork and website for the new record, and Tegan actually directed their last video. Tegan and Sara are doing all of this on their own, proving they have dedication, entrepreneurship and the potential for success. A gung-ho, go-for-it attitude comes through in the pair's music; these women are fearless and energetic. The sisters began making music at age 15, and frolicked onwards playing their hearts out until it became exactly what they lived for. So Jealous is their third album in just four years and the twins have already shared a stage with the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Neil Young and Hot Hot Heat. Their rise from indie darlings to one of Universal Music's hippest acts started with demo tapes and a loan to record their first album. "From the first time we started writing we were recording the songs and getting them into people's hands," Tegan explains. "It's very important that people hear you and then leave with your product, because if they like you, they're going to tell their friends." "We didn't do it for the money," sing the pair on track 12 of So Jealous. If they're not in it for the money, then, do they care about fans downloading their music for free? Tegan confesses that a friend just sent her 15 mix CDs; after listening to them, she went out and bought the albums for the four bands she really liked. That's the difference, she protests. "Once you do establish that you like our music, it's only fair that you go out and buy it … it's our livelihood, we live off of record sales," she says. "It doesn't matter if we sell a million concert tickets a year, our label's going to stop giving us money to make records [if they don't sell]." She admits that it's tricky, because with album prices so high, it's tough to buy everything you would like to. "The entertainment business is such a money-maker, it's such a monster-it's hard for some people to justify buying 50 new CDs a year because they found 50 new bands they like." Tegan and Sara will be playing in Centennial Square on Friday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. The price of their album will be less than two beers at the bar, since the CD is on sale for a lesser price at the concert-a sign of appreciation for your presence. From there, they will hit Seattle for the Farm Aid Benefit Concert, playing alongside performers such as Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews.