1. What turned you into being vegan?
ba: a series of events, but the main one was reading a book called "fit for life". that book seriously changed the way I looked at food and what it was doing to me.

2. How long have you been vegan?
ba: since 1989

3. What does a typical days food consist of?

ba: fruit in the morning, then usually a salad, maybe an avocado sandwich. I love Mexican food, so sometimes it's guacamole, salsa and a burrito...there are lots of things. I was really happy once soy milk became so good, it wasn't so popular ten years ago, now it's everywhere.

4. Do you encourage others to go vegan or vegetarian?
ba: like the expression "if you love animals - don't eat them", I use it on my father all the time, even if it falls on deaf ears. people always ask me questions like 'where do you get your protein' to which I answer, I don't look for it. I eat a balanced diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, grains, almonds and rice. I also love tofu and try to include it a few times a week, and I'm currently into making my own almond milk, which is heaven with a little maple syrup.

5. What's your favorite food?
ba: that's a hard question, because it depends so much on how it's prepared. for example, my favorite salad dressing is simply fresh lime and olive oil with a little salt and pepper. if someone served me a salad with vinegar on it, I probably wouldn't eat it cuz I don't eat vinegar. I love Japanese style veggie dishes of tofu and mushrooms...but I suppose I have to admit that I love the Elvis of all vegetables...the potato.

6. How do you prepare for touring?
ba: well, I'm doing shows all the time, so I usually try to keep in shape by riding my bicycle. that's about it really.

7. Who influences you?
ba: people who's ideas are based on nature and the path of self healing.

8. Have you always wanted to perform?
ba: yes, but I never knew what that meant in the beginning, I just got my self a band and went out on the road. I wish I had been a vegan then! I hate to think of the food I chowed down on when we were traveling. the thing that strikes me is how much things have changed since I first started as a musician. vegetarianism is still slightly alternative today, but nowhere near as frowned upon as it used to be. an avocado sandwich? you must be mad!!

9. What would you like to do if you were not doing what you are doing now?
ba: I'd be in music somewhere, maybe a shop or something. I always liked the idea of running a factory, maybe I'd start a recycling plant.

10. Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
ba: I'll probably do what I'm doing for a long time. I may end up as a photographer.

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