Avril Lavigne claims she’s all grown up. But in conversation, the 19-year-old still exudes the charm and sincerity of an angsty teen that resonated throughout her multiplatinum-selling debut, “Let Go.” Her music has taken a decidedly darker turn, reflecting much of the mood she felt during the writing process. Much of that writing took place during a two-week period with her “best friend,” fellow Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk, whose husband, Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida, produced many of the tracks. Lavigne talked about that time like a giddy kid who, like, met a friend, they had lunch, like, giggled a lot and wrote, like, a whole bunch of songs.
On Thursday, Lavigne kicked off a stealth “flash mob” tour of shopping malls around the country to jump-start the publicity hype around her long-awaited second album, “Under My Skin,” which drops May 25. The first single, “Don’t Tell Me,” which she calls the “lightest, poppiest song on the record,” ships to radio stations March 15.
Lavigne talked to RedEye about the new music, her love of Canadian-style french fries and how she’s no punk princess.
How do you feel about having a “highly anticipated new album”–does that freak you out?
No, I’m really glad because it means people are excited about it. I’m excited about it. I have some songs that are really different, with piano, and they’re really dark. I want people to see that side of me, more grown up. I can’t wait to perform that stuff.
Sorry for the comparison, but are you afraid of having an Alanis-like fallout?
You know what, she sold 9 million [copies] of her second album and that’s not a fall-out. That’s amazing. I’m not afraid of any weird thing like that. I don’t expect anything. I just made a record and wrote music that I love and am really excited that I get people who get to hear it.
So, from all the bouncing you do in your shows, do you have really strong calf muscles?
(laughs) No. (pauses) I don’t work out.
How do you keep in shape?
I’m 19, that’s how I keep in shape. I might start doing yoga or something cool like that. I have a high metabolism, and I can eat whatever I want.
That said, what’s your favorite mall food court eatery?
I love New York fries, I don’t know if that’s a Canadian thing. In the malls in Canada, they have poutine–it’s a French Canadian thing. It’s french fries with curd cheese and gravy; it’s, like, one of my favorite foods.
What’s been the best thing about your success?
It’s all good. It’s not so much about the money for me. It’s great to have people know you and respect you for what you do.
And the worst?
People are very judgmental. People like to write crap about you. They either hate you or love you. And you have to know and accept that.
How would you want people to view you?
I’m just a kid who loves to write music and loves to sing and have fun.
People were calling you the new punk princess–how do you feel about the title?
I’ve said it many times that I’m not punk and never said that I am, and I’m sick of talking about it.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Victoria Rodriguez (vrodriguez@tribune.com)
