True dedication. A musician with ambition: answering questions about herself, as posed by mu:music's Danielle, whilst battling illness. We salute you, Sarah Maguire! (And hope you get better soon!) 
1. Are your songs spur-of-the-moment or do you prefer to specifically plan them?
Sometimes I have an orchestrated story in my mind and I will sit down and think about how to write that story. It might come to me over a few days, like writing a short story. Other times it comes directly from a feeling in my heart. I sit down on impulse and improvise, letting the feelings guide me.
2. Is your music inspired by your own experiences?
Always. I can only write about the things that effect me. Even if I write about someone else, it’s still affecting me enough to feel the need to immortalize that subject in a song. It’s a mixture of completely autobiographical and fictional tales.
3. Do you have an ultimate musical ambition?
I used to want to be Madonna. Like mega famous and loved by trillions of people. There is still a glimmer of that left in me, but I have to say that that dream has faded the more that I write. I suppose my current ambition is to communicate my stories and ideas with real people. I am pretty influenced by taking it back to the basics of folklore. I have a dream that if I am honest and truthful in my writing then it could have a domino effect and in turn someone else might become inspired to practice more honesty.
4. Who would you say influences you the most?
I love Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Arthur Rimbaud, Jarvis Cocker, Patti Smith, Bridget Berlin to name a few. The list could go on for me as I am sure it could for any artist. I am very influenced by 1960’s New York City and all of its debauchery, freedom and art. Also the beat writers drive me crazy with their monologues and prose. I think the place of my birth and youth, Rotherham also plays a big role in my life and work. Again that theme of being inspired by real people and their real stories.
5. What’s been the highlight of your musical career to date?
It has to be writing my first song! It took so long; it was like being pregnant for 24 years…ha ha ha! 
6. Of all the musicians you know of, dead or alive, with who would you most like to collaborate?
Oh God that’s a good one. I think it would have to be Leonard Cohen or Jarvis Cocker. Or better both together! Ha ha ha! See how I squeezed two in? 
7. Have any of your songs been created for somebody in particular or is the music separate from your day-to-day life?
Oh god yeah, all the time. I hand songs out like sweets! I suppose it could get embarrassing at some point.
8. Is there somewhere you’d love to perform at?
Not really, I never really thought about it. I do love the vibe of theatres a lot more than music venues. So I guess it would be some beautiful theatre. Having said that The Grand Ol Opry wouldn’t be a bad choice!
9. Say there’s no music (I know, that’s actually a disgusting idea!). How would Sarah be earning her rent?
I think that I would want to work with animals full time or be a farmer. And no, I am not kidding! I am in love with animals, I have a one year old Dalmatian called Tiva and a cat called Maui Moon and we are waiting for another boy cat to be old enough to come home from the cattery. My friends call me the animal lady! Ha ha ha! I am very interested in organic agriculture and would love to have a farm and fill it full of gorgeous happy animals. I want to be a Mother Earth kind of lady. But there would be no murder at my farm! I am vegan and love my fluffy friends.
10. Favourite bands of today would be who...?
I live in the past so it’s hard to say. Sue and the Unicorn would have to be on the top of my list. (We’ve interviewed that beautiful lady of folk; check it out in the blog archive ASAP!)
11. What do you think it is about Berlin that has drawn so many British-born musicians/artists in?
I guess it’s the cheap rent and cheap living costs. As far back as history goes, wherever there has been such low prices it has magnetized artists who are usually on an extraordinarily low budget or living off the kindness of others.
12. A few weeks ago, we saw people from the music/celebrity world getting involved in the G20 protests in London (Kate Nash, Luke Pritchard from The Kooks, Russell Brand, and a friend in London said she saw Dee from Robots in Disguise there too but I’m not sure if that's true? Ha!). Do you see music as a good way of expressing political views or should it remain primarily as a form of entertainment?
I absolutely think it is very important to express your political views. I am not into preaching or creating new dogma though; and it’s a fine line. I am very interested in sharing my experience, strength and hope about certain issues that have affected me personally. It’s a long time since artists have led the way for young people in the political arena and I think it’s about time that stars got active again. At the same time I firmly believe that music and art have healing qualities and that by purely being entertained by such mediums you have a mutual chance of self-evolution.
13. And finally....yes, we're ending with an unlucky 13 q's ......what is your absolute favourite song of all time?
I just can’t have favourites. I am so flippant! I love ‘Teachers’ by Cohen, ‘The Fear’ by PULP, and ‘Everybody’ by Madonna. Give ‘em a listen!
On behalf of mu:music’s readers, thank you very much Ms Maguire for your time! Good luck with the cat, the music and the illness! And PS, please come to Liverpool so we can check out the live ordeal and spread the word even more! 