For me it would be Elvis Costello. He seems like the kind of fellow that would make you feel like a total fan boy, even if you were having a normal conversation. So, I would probably being trying so hard to not come across like a total fan boy that it would be forced, awkward and uncomfortable.

I don't think I could possibly come up with a rational thought around this dude, but in the reverse of nick cave: I'd be on the verge of hysterical laughter that would certainly get me pummeled to death.

On the up side, not having any rational ideas would certainly not prevent you from holding a convo with him.

If there is anything people know about me, it's that I love Sleater-Kinney - it is my favoritest band in the whole entire world and I was very sad when it broke up. Still am.

Years ago, when I was starting out as a rock writer, I was writing CD reviews for ROCKRGRL magazine and at this point had never written a feature article. I asked a publicist if he could send me a copy of the new (at the time) Quasi record (it was *Hot Shit*, by the way) and he e-mailed me back and said sure, he'd put it in the mail - oh, and by the way, would I be interested in interviewing Janet Weiss?

I thought that when it came to interviewing people, there was a progression you worked up to. You start out interviewing the bass player for the first band to play on a Tuesday night at Second Avenue Pizza (RIP) and then moved up from there. No way in hell did I think my first interview would be with the drummer for a band I've been obsessive with. (What in the world would I ask? Could I keep my stuttering under control?) I also didn't want to pass on that chance or have someone else interview her. When it was time to do the interview - like the very next week - I was a nervous wreck and just hoped that it would be rescheduled or she wouldn't answer when I called or something.

It went okay, all things considered, but I didn't like transcribing that interview sober.

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I've been okay when I've met a few people I really respect and admire - although "okay" is a relative term. I was fine when I met Annie in person, but not only was her record -*Anniemal* - my favorite record at the time (and is still on my top 10 ever list) she is also insanely beautiful. I was really fan-boyish, though, but didn't do anything terribly embarrassing - I am glad that when I interviewed her a few months before, it was over the phone.

In both of those interviews I couldn't help think that they were asking themselves "how did I get stuck on the phone with this idiot?"

I could barely stand it when I met Joan Didion at the Seattle Public Library almost 2 years ago. I couldn't imagine trying to interview her - I could barely utter "I love your books".

Jeez, that was a long answer!

talking to morrissey would be next to impossible for me - i think i would probably start crying or something...stephin merrit is right up there, too.

OMG...Nick Cave is sooo hot!

It would have to be David Bowie for me... I would LOVE to just sit and have coffee with him and I just know that he would be super down to earth and sweet, regardless of his statue in rocknroll history. But I think I would be trembling trying to have a conversation..

I have to agree with Jordan - it's the Mozzer for me, too. Though trying to act casual around Rhett Miller wasn't so easy either...

Y'know, Ben Kweller had some sort of an "enter now to win a chance to talk to Ben Kweller over the phone" type thing. Initially, I thought, "All right! Cool!" Then I kind of chickened out and didn't even enter. I've talked to Ben Kweller before and it was all fine and dandy, but something about having a phone conversation with him just completely intimidated me. I think I was also a little turned off by how corporate the whole thing seemed...I could imagine, "enter now to win a chance to talk to BEYONCE over the phone," but Ben Kweller? Hm.

This is a great question. Between having worked in radio and for Bumbershoot, I've had the pleasure of meeting many the musician, and I've always been pretty easy with the idea. I even met Stephin Merritt last year before the same show igDana explained (picked him up from the airport, in fact) where I played the whole thing with a "hey, dude" attitude.

I do have to say I was a little dumbfounded to have been hanging out with Ben Fong-Torres last year at Bumbershoot (three or four times, in fact).

But my answer to this question would be: although I'd love the chance to just kick it with Tom Waits, maybe get a couple beers, I could never, ever interview the mad genius.

I met Tanya Donelly once - she of my junior high/high school crushing - and completely couldn't even say a word. It was even at her record preview show at Fort Apache in Cambridge and there were only maybe 100 people there. Bah!

I feel I've become more relaxed since then and honestly couldn't think of anyone I would be starstruck by short of the late Johnny Cash and the even later Frank Sinatra. Of course, that might all change if I got a call out of the blue from someone famous.

Definitely David Bowie.

David Bowie in his Labyrinth get-up = mush.

I always thought Sarah was a dumbass for not agreeing to be his Goblin Queen.