Today igLiz and I met with two of our awesome new all-ages writers, imaginary chelsea and elle, and we started talking about interviews: the perks (meeting cool and/or attractive rock stars!) and the downfalls (transcription, ergh). Which got me thinking....
I'm not one to get too starstruck around folks these days. I love a band guy or girl as much as the next superfan, but I tend to retain a really strong sense of this-is-just-a-human-being reality that keeps me grounded about these sorts of things. Of course, I did spaz out a bit when I met Amy Winehouse at SXSW, but I think I was just so surprised by the bump-into-the-one-person- I-was-most-excited-to-see aspect of the whole sitch. And when I met Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields at the 826 Benefit pre-Bumbershoot last year, I was nervous for sure (but that was mostly because I'd heard how awkward and misanthropic he can be).
This I started thinking: Who would I completely refuse to interview because the very idea of meeting him/her would leave me far too starstruck to speak/think/blink coherently?
For me, no question. There's no way I could form an iota of a thought around this guy:
How about you? Is there anyone you admire but would refuse to meet because you were just too awed?
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.
______________
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".
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..
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.
1 Powerpop-Gary said on June 22, 2007
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.
2 The Grim said on June 22, 2007
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.
3 ChrisB said on June 22, 2007
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.
______________
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!
4 jordan said on June 22, 2007
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.
5 saundrah said on June 23, 2007
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..
6 imaginary stella said on June 23, 2007
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...
7 imaginary chelsea said on June 23, 2007
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.
8 Cal Ledbetter said on June 25, 2007
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.
9 Erik Gonzalez said on June 25, 2007
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.
10 elle said on June 25, 2007
Definitely David Bowie.
11 imaginary ash said on June 25, 2007
David Bowie in his Labyrinth get-up = mush.
I always thought Sarah was a dumbass for not agreeing to be his Goblin Queen.
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