Lust List 2012: Malissa

Job: Owner, 4th Ward Heroes
Age: 30-something
Relationship status: Single

No one can call Malissa a slacker. She already has enough degrees and serious career skills for three or four people. There’s her training in crisis management as a social worker for the Red Cross. Her years spent learning Arabic and studying Middle Eastern politics in Cairo after earning her master’s degree in public policy from Savannah State University. Her brief foray into architectural consulting. Her A&R work for local labels Double Phantom and Slush Fund. And her moonlighting as a music promoter through her own 4th Ward Heroes, booking regular free shows at Star Bar and organizing charity concerts. Next up, launching Favor, her new band management company. When does she sleep?

What’s your standard drink?
Bulleit and club soda.

What band were you obsessed with when you were 14?
I listened to a lot of Michael Jackson, Beastie Boys, Madonna. Who didn’t?

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Turning my ringer off. It’s off right now.

What’s your least favorite household chore?
I hate washing dishes.

On which reality TV show should you be cast?
I’ve never seen any reality TV, but I should create my own show about female promoters and what we deal with in the music industry.

What’s the last thing that made you cry?
It was probably a guy.

What’s the last good book you read?
I’m re-reading Eva Luna by Isabel Allende because I bought myself a signed first edition for Christmas.

What do you wish someone would hurry up and invent?
Whatever could make everyone happy at the same time.

What’s the lamest pickup line anyone’s used on you?
I’m always at bars and clubs and guys ask me, “Do you work here?” That’s not exactly a pickup line, but it’s a way to start talking to me. I usually just run off because I’m working.

If you could live in any movie, which would it be?
Out of Africa.

What’s the first album you bought with your own money?
Sgt. Pepper’s, the Beatles.

What’s the best way for a customer to hit on you?
Like someone who attends all of my shows? They could help clean up!

Who would play you in the movie of your life?
I don’t know. I love Kate Winslet. Or Meryl Streep, of course. Who doesn’t want Meryl Streep to play them?

What’s the one thing you most hope to accomplish this year?
I hope to get Favor up and running and get a solid group of bands together and just kill it. And make a solid showing at South by Southwest for Atlanta.

What’s your least favorite thing about Atlanta?
It can be hateful. I sometimes refer to Atlanta as Hate City.

Is there a drawback to being attractive?
It probably has more to do with being a woman than it has to do with being attractive. But no, I’m sure it helps.

What’s the weirdest thing in your house?
I’m not gonna tell you. One of the most fascinating things I have in my house is an aboriginal painting that I won from Lonely Planet in a writing contest. It’s beautiful. It’s interesting. But it’s not the weirdest thing I have in my house.

Name one thing you’ve stolen.
Yesterday, I just stole out of David Mansfield’s backpack a 7-inch of the new Algiers record.

Who’s the most important person in your life?
The most important person is my dog, Chaplin, because he’s been with me for so long and I love him so much. I know he might not qualify as a person, but he’s a person to me.

What’s your sexy-time soundtrack?
“Heartbeats” by the Knife.

Have you ever been dumped? If so, what was the reason?
No, I’ve never been dumped. But I once went on a date with someone and they disappeared during the date, so I think that qualifies.

What’s your pettiest relationship deal-breaker?
Well it’s not petty, but I have to be in a relationship with someone I admire. If I don’t admire them, it’s pretty done, immediately.

What would you order for your last meal?
I’ve been a vegetarian for so long, that’s a tricky question. Lobster.

How much would you charge to murder a stranger?
I would never murder anyone. Ever!

Name a well-regarded band you don’t like.
Oh, no way. OK, it’s gonna have to be at the national level. There’s so many ... I can’t think.

With whom would you like to play Truth or Dare?
I’d want to play with Virginia Woolf or someone dead who was interesting. Alive, I’d go with Barack Obama. He would be fun.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
Who’s In Charge?

What did your parents want you to do with your life?
My mother wanted me to go to law school, but later she changed her mind because she thought I wouldn’t make any money because I’d just practice law for free.

Have you ever stalked someone on Facebook?
You mean, like, look someone up who I don’t know? I do that like every day. If I get an email from you, I’m gonna look you up. Like, “Who’s this guy?”

What celebrity would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?
Ryan Gosling. Hello!

What’s your preferred footwear?
Must wear boots. Because otherwise I could get hurt running around. I love wearing heels, but I can’t when I’m running a show.

What’s the most romantic place in Atlanta?
Wow, I need to get some romance in my life. I think the Botanical Garden has something going on right now that looks really romantic, but I’ve never been there.

What’s your wackiest piece of personal trivia?
You have so much information on me now.

At what bar/restaurant would you like to have an open tab?
Any of Kevin Rathbun’s places.

What personal attribute are you a sucker for?
Loyalty. I find it very endearing.

Where would you go on a sweepstakes vacation?
Sicily.

Describe your relationship to exercise.
It used to be good. Not so much now. But if I run a show I’m on my feet for at least seven hours. So ... nonexistent. I don’t have a relationship to exercise. I dream of doing yoga every day like I used to.

Not counting rent or bills, where does most of your disposable income go?
The bands I work with. Like, all of it.

What’s your life’s ambition/grandest dream?
I just want to do a lot of really good things.

If you had to spend a million dollars in one afternoon, what would you do?
I talked about this the other day with a friend because I bought a lottery ticket, so I’m on the hook for a tour bus for her, and I would immediately buy a house for myself and all of my brothers and sisters.

Have you ever stolen a friend’s boyfriend?
No.

What’s your own character flaw you’d most like to fix?
I’m a bit of a control freak.

What silly thing are you most vain about?
My hair.

Why do you think someone nominated you for the Lust List?
I have no idea.