With her debut record, Jillian Banks scored critical buzz, earned a left-field hit in “ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twix375Me4Q Beggin for Thread END ” and set herself apart in a crowded electronic-R&B field where it’s increasingly difficult to find air (or airtime).

It’s worth mentioning those achievements because Banks herself probably wouldn’t. Breakthrough status might await Banks as she prepares to release her sophisticated sophomore record The Altar on Sept. 30, and yet as the mellow-to-the-marrow singer materializes at Revolution Studios for a round of press, it becomes clear self-promotion doesn’t come naturally.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to say in interviews or how much I’m supposed to say,” she laments, noting that she’ll freeze up at a question as innocuous as “what’s different about this album?”

“It’s unnatural for me. I’m so private. And I don’t feel comfortable opening up to people unless I really trust them and know them.

“It’s almost easier in this business to be fake, but I don’t know how to be fake,” she adds. “If I see somebody commodifying themselves, I’m so uninterested in anything they have to say. I’m really bored by the plastic-ness of it all.”

Well, the press-averse Banks was still kind enough to answer some of the Star’s questions.

The chorus of “Gemini Feed” is “you’re passive aggressive.” What’s your definition of passive aggressive behaviour?

Passive aggression is, first of all, painful to be receiving. In that song I was referring to it in a “trying to make someone feel guilty” type of way — but not directly, just in a secret, passive way, which is just infuriating. It’s like this secret, secret little snake. It doesn’t always come from a bad person. If you haven’t seen someone in so long and you love them and they’re so far, and you want more attention, that’s where passive aggression could stem from.

You’re a Gemini, aren’t you? I don’t know anything about astrology; do you put any stock in it?

Kind of. I think there are little traits in everybody. Being a Gemini means you have two separate sides that you identify with. For example, I’m either an extroverted introvert or an introverted extrovert — whichever way you say it causes social anxiety, because I don’t get my energy from being around people at a party, I get my energy from being in my own space. But I still am a social being; I get really lonely if I’m alone for too long. So it’s this confusing thing. Even if you’re extroverted tonight, you could be introverted tomorrow and anxious about the night before.

“Mother Earth” is sonically the most different thing on the album. What’s it about?

“Mother Earth” is an ode to femininity; an ode to being a woman in this time. It’s like I was singing from the perspective of wanting to heal the world or something. I’ve felt what a lot of women have felt, and that song came from the pain of that, but it’s not a sad song. It’s a really powerful, uplifting song for me when I listen to it. It gives me strength.

You toured with The Weeknd, and you’re in Toronto now, so I’m guessing it’s come up?

Every interview. It’s funny being here. I love The Weeknd. He’s been super supportive of me since the beginning. The first tour I ever went on was with him. I loved seeing him from the first to the second tour, I loved seeing it grow and being part of it. It feels kind of like a little family.

Is he as shy as everyone says he is?

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He’s as talented as everyone says he is.

I read that you watch cartoons when you can’t sleep. Which cartoons?

I like Adventure Time but I also like Rugrats and Hey Arnold! I’m also creating my own cartoon. I’ll tell you about one character: Sans Peau is her name, which means “no skin” in French. She’s inside-out. She leaves little bloody footprints everywhere she goes. She goes on adventures with her inside-out self, but she doesn’t feel self-conscious. She’s my idol.