Anastasia A won Toronto International Music Summit’s Best Pop Act in 2012. Earlier that year, she was among the top 1O artists in EMI’s national talent search (MO Artist), which later led her to establish her first publishing deal. She has performed alongside artists such as Shawn Desmond, Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven, Jillea, The Trews, SUBLIME and Tokyo Police Club.

This Thursday at the Hard Rock Cafe (279 Yonge Street) she will be performing as part of  Canadian Music Week. Focusing primarily on music, the festival also showcases a digital media summit and film and comedy fests. Tickets are $10 (CMW wristbands accepted.)

We spoke to Anastasia about managing her own music career, what makes her happy and how Sephora receipts rule her wallet.

SDTC: What aisle do you spend the most time in at the grocery store?

AA: I like to get in and get out because it’s dangerous in there! To be brutally honest, I stand there in front of the cheese aisle and just stare at it. You know when you can just taste how delicious those Babybels would be if you bought them but you don’t and walk away? The international aisle is a good one, too. Oh whatever, I make smoothies in the mornings!

Which virtue do you try to cultivate within yourself?

Patience! I work super hard running my own label and co-managing my music career that I sometimes get frustrated I am not further along. I am realizing that I am exactly where I should be.

The receipts in your wallet would indicate what?

Ridiculous Sephora receipts that I cannot explain how I can afford, wine and taking my man out to restaurants!

What did you think you were going to be when you were 8 years old?

A surgeon & pop singer!

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

Barcelona! The accents, the sea, the beautiful hot weather and the culture are heaven. My second choice would be British Columbia!

What makes you happy?

Eating family dinner on Sundays while being weird, kissing my cat’s noses, the way my boyfriend looks at me in the morning, giving back to my community and inspiring youth through pop music!

What makes you cringe?

When someone talks with food in his or her mouth. That is a huge no-no for me.

What quality do you loathe most in others?

Inconsideration of other people and their surroundings.

What, in your opinion, is overrated?

Fake boobs and extensions.

What is the one thing you wish you could change about yourself? Why?

I am imperfectly perfect and I love my inner child and how far I am coming along on the journey of life, discovery and passion.

What frustrates you the most?

My boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend’s face and people who stand on the left side of the escalator!

What quality do you value most in a lover?

Kindness.

What word or phrase should we use more often?

“I acknowledge you.”

Art is_______ ?

Lady Gaga’s outfits.

Check out Anastasia’s Facebook and Twitter.

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