The Steeple Times asks author, designer and band manager Sasha Reid: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
“Anything is possible”. I love knowing that you can take a little idea and create anything out of it. The possibilities are endless.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Kill people with kindness”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
For me, people being cruel to animals is something I find unacceptable. I hate the fact innocent creatures are being killed. We should respect the animal kingdom and allow them to share our precious planet.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss having Christmas with all my family. When I was growing up I was looked after by a nanny. She wasn’t my granny – she was a proper nanny and had looked after my mum and my uncle when they were little before coming to look after my brothers and me. Our Christmas used to be my mum, dad, 2 brothers and me, nanny and my grandparents.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Happiness. What is the point of being able to have everything if you can’t be happy?
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I hope my money is safe.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
The word “grand”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I was recently on tour with Kasabian and Jersey Budd who did the Teenage Cancer Trust gig at the Royal Albert Hall. I was inspired to see the good work that the charity does and meet some of the young people who have been helped and hear their stories. I also like to support animal charities.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
I think mobiles are great as long as they are used at the right time and place.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
I would want my mum and brothers (Charlie and Sam), and of course my mum’s little dog, Honeybear. I would also invite the Kasabian guys: Tom, Sergio, Dib, Kealey, Ian and Tim so that I could have great music.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I hope I would never end up on death row but if I had to choose my last meal it would be risotto, pancakes, chocolate and a banana cupcake from the Chelsea Teapot on the Kings Road. I would want to eat it all on a beautiful beach watching the sunset.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime: It’s always evening somewhere in the world.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A watermelon martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Matthew Steeples has the best parties. They are full of the most interesting and lovely people in London.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My brother Charlie. He is always so calm and always sees the glass half-full .
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
I love watching American television shows. Nashville and Revenge are my favourites at the moment.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
It would be a phoenix as I love what this mythical bird symbolises. There is going to be a phoenix on the scarves I’m designing.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I would be a red Cadillac.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
That I am related to General LaSalle who was first General to Napoleon and I can get married in Les Invalides in Paris. I’m sure the James Bond character was based on him. I am also related to Prince Yusupov who murdered Rasputin.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I have family photographs, candles, a clock that was my granny’s and my Kasabian AAA pass.
Sasha Reid trained to be a teacher before becoming a headmistress of a nursery school. She was then responsible for discovering a Leicester band called Kasabian and worked with them until they were signed to a major label. Currently, Sasha writes children’s stories, manages singer-songwriter Jersey Budd and is designing a range of rock and roll scarves.
Download Sasha Reid’s children’s stories onto your iPad at: http://store.interactivetouchbooks.com/books/sasha+reid+and+amy+withers+riedl
Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/rockchicksasha
