One-way love affair

>> Will Montreal return David Scott's affection?

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

With the release of the Sex Machine E.P., Montreal's own Haute Couture label has landed an icon of electronic pop, a former colleague of Gary Numan, Van Halen and more. Odd that Montrealers, the people who England's widely renowned David Scott has taken to heart as his own, haven't the faintest damn clue who he is. Although he's a cool, controlled character, one can tell that Scott is a little hurt by this. So open your ears and hearts, Montreal, a legend is among us.

Mirror: You have an astounding history of involvement with pop music throughout the last 20 years, yet most anyone I mention your name to simply shrugs and says, "Who?" How has someone so high-profile managed to maintain such a low profile?

David Scott: Are you serious? Nobody knows me in Montreal? That's weird! I've been away from the scene since '93 but... I guess that's why I can walk around without getting bugged too much. There's this guy at the shish taouk place near Haute Couture's office who always tells me that he saw me somewhere.

M: While perhaps not so well known here, you're an idol, a sex symbol for teenage girls in Japan.

DS: I know! It's total madness. I've heard that someone is actually selling underwear that I had allegedly worn! I'm flattered that they feel that way about me but anyway, it's out of my control. Japanese girls are very cute but they're 14 years old and I'm 32! [ed's note: conflicting documentation puts Scott at 38] Cute, but that's it! The coverage I get is very different from country to country. In certain parts of Europe I do talk shows and have been considered a pop star since the beginning. In other countries I'm strictly admired for my musicianship, as in this interview for the Mirror. It's nice to talk about something other than my favourite colour.

M: Following up on the previous question, you have a reputation as a smooth operator, a real ladies' man. Is there a special lady in your life?

DS: I often wonder how my life would have been different if I would have held on to certain relationships. There's pretty much always been someone, on and off. Women are so beautiful, I find it hard to restrict myself to only one. I guess that someday, as much as I feel my music through me, an extension of myself, maybe I'll feel a woman in the same way.

M: Judging by the tune "Montreal, Ville Nouvelle," you have a particular fondness for our city. Why?

DS: When you're an artist, anything can inspire you and when I first came over here I felt totally ecstatic. I don't know, I really feel some kind of energy flow, a pulse breathing through the air. There's a unique mixture of culture, languages, art, weather. This city is a crossroad of ideas. The whole Sex Machine mini-album was inspired by Montreal's energy.

CD launch at Tokyo on Thursday, Nov. 23, 5pm, free