Queenstown Times: What did you have for lunch today?
Ewen Gilmour: "A cheese roll with extra cheese, a couple of those puppies. $2.50, you can't go wrong."
QT: What is your favourite food?
EG: "Pla muck aroy. It's deep-fried squid's legs in a really delicious batter, that's from Sawadee, in Ponsonby Rd, Auckland. It's the only place in the world. I even went to Thailand and I thought they'd be everywhere, but every time I asked, they brought me a squid's head. It's disgusting, the thing's winking at you."
QT: What is your favourite spot in Queenstown?
EG: "I do like the waterfront past the Earnslaw. If I was in Queenstown, I would go to the indoor mini-putt. That's awesome; it's got all the highlights of Queenstown, without having to hop in the car. "There's a spaceship, which I don't think Queenstown has yet."
QT: Queenstown needs more ...
EG: "Things for people who don't go skiing to do. I don't ski, unless you class sliding down on your [backside] as skiing. And more cheaper taxis."
QT: Queenstown needs less ...
EG: "Less of a mark-up on everything. If Queenstown was to have a slogan, it would be, 'Queenstown: Bring your Wallet'."
QT: Who are your role models?
EG: "Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere. I've always like the cut of his jib. He's been mayor for 18 years and I believe he's done so much, especially for the arts and movie industry. We've got one of the biggest sound studios in Australasia.
"Also my grandfather; he passed away years ago. My zest for life comes from him. He was a fantastic storyteller. I didn't know if any of them were true. He said he got the scar on his neck in the war, but I found out later he was stung by a hornet. It was during the war, but it's a big difference from getting shot in the neck."
QT: What was the latest music you bought or downloaded?
EG: "It was the Led Zeppelin no-name album. I'd just read [Stairway To Heaven:] Led Zeppelin Uncensored, written by the roadie, and I grew up on Led Zeppelin. You see a little bit more when you go back [after reading]. It was the same when I read Scar Tissue and bought a Red Hot Chilli Peppers album.
QT: And the latest movie?
EG: "We watched Inglourious Basterds last night. I thought it was pretty good, some good lines, a lot of unbelievable moments. Some of the gore though ... I had to look away."
QT: What are you reading at the moment? EG: Johnny Jones: A Colonial Saga, about the man who bought the South Island. So far, it's going quite well. I like true stories; I'm not a big fan of make-believe."
QT: What is your favourite way to relax? EG: "Be at home, have a couple of beers, go on lamebook and laugh at other people's posts. I travel so much, meeting hundreds of people, so it's good to be home, with my wife and two dogs."
QT: What winds you up?
EG: "Mostly people's poor driving skills. Man, inattention and inability to stay at the speed limit. When they get to the passing lane, they find another 40kmh in their car and no-one can pass them. People who park in mobility parking spots. Who do these guys think they are?"
QT: Do you have a favourite quote you live by?
EG: "If your car gets stolen, you can be upset, or you can laugh about it. Either way, your car's still stolen."
QT: If you could do anything, what would it be?
EG: "It would be very cool to perceive lotto numbers. I'd go into a trance on Fridays and I'd do it every week. I wouldn't keep it all though; I'd share it around. It wouldn't change me, but it would change my circle of friends."
Ewen Gilmour, Revolver, Friday, June 18, 9pm.
Tickets $15 on the door.
