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An Intimate Evening With Girl Talk

Posted 12/5/11 10:26 am EST by in 1, dance, girl-talk, Interview


By Zachary Swickey

NORMAN, OKLA. – I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read that the world’s greatest party-thrower, Girl Talk, was going to be at the Opolis – a tiny venue in the college town of Norman, Oklahoma, that showcases indie acts and local bands with a capacity well below 200. This must be some kind of mistake, I thought, but just the thought of seeing such a huge act in such an intimate setting was awesome.

Turns out, Girl Talk – also known by his common name, Greg Gillis – is in the midst of a guerilla tour of sorts that is hitting up only eight college cities across the states. For the AXE One Night Only Tour 2011, Gillis is going old-school by performing secret shows in low capacity venues, announcing details of the gigs just days before show time via the AXE Facebook page (four more secret stops are scheduled for this Tuesday through Friday, so be on the lookout). Gillis treated me to a quick phone chat before the show and said this tour is a way to give back to the fans and reminisce over his pre-breakout gigs. "Prior to 2006, I would play anyplace, anytime," he told MTV News. "The circumstances did not matter."

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Interview: Mariachi El Bronx At Austin City Limits

Posted 9/20/11 10:45 am EST by in Festivals, Interview


Mariachi El Bronx

By Zachary Swickey

Despite their jet lag and still donning their Mariachi outfits from their set at Austin City Limits, Ray Suen and Jorma Vik sat down with MTV News to discuss Mariachi El Bronx, the Spanish-flavored side project of LA’s finest punk rock bands, The Bronx. Their ACL appearance was a one-off break from their much-coveted opening slot on the Foo Fighters fall tour. El Bronx’s new, niche sound is winning the hearts of many, and the guys were kind enough to shed some light on the project for us.

First off, your name and all of the instruments that you played on the album?
Jorma: I’m Jorma and I play the drums and handle percussion for Mariachi El Bronx.
Ray: I’m Ray and I play violin … and some other stuff. (Editor’s note: I’ll throw Ray a bone here: He plays violin, guitar, harp, requinto jarocho, vihuela, jarana as well providing backing vocals.)

What is the technical term for the Mariachi outfits?
Jorma: They’re called Charro suits. C-H-A-R-R-O.
Ray: We had ours made out in East LA by a guy named Alyas. How did you find Alyas [asking Jorma]?
Jorma: There’s a really f**king cool part of LA and it’s like maybe a half mile square and it’s all these taco shops, mariachi shops and all these places that make the suits or instruments. There’s this one little corner called “Mariachi Plaza” where a bunch of Mariachi dues will be all dressed up and they stand there waiting for people to pick them up to play parties or whatever.

Why no Mariachi hats?
Jorma: We thought it was a little campy. You know people would think, like, the "Three Amigos" or whatever.
Ray: Well, we’re already combating some kind of prejudice and we don’t want to make a mockery of anything, so yeah, it’s exactly that. When people think of Mariachi, especially in the UK, people will say, “Oh like 'Three Amigos'?” It’s like, “Nooo, not so much like 'Three Amigos.'” Read More...

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Lady Gaga Is 'Bigger Than Life,' MTV Documentary Director Says

Posted 5/25/11 4:31 pm EST by in Interview, Music


Davi Russo had the distinct pleasure of directing the new MTV documentary "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," airing Thursday at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, which focuses on Gaga's rise to fame and the moments and people who gave her the strength to become Lady Gaga.

In the special, Gaga wears a leather jacket, and MTV News had the opportunity to speak to Russo about how she chose that particular piece of clothing for the chat. "This is one of those things where you know you're going to meet this person that's bigger than life. And, people are just people. When she came out, there was this amazing moment where it's like she comes waltzing out in this pink majestic outfit with this huge bow on her head and she's coming out with the entourage," he recalled.

The fashion turning point came when she realized she'd be reflecting on her days grinding in New York City and working to make her dreams of pop superstardom come true. "I just remember kneeling down next to her, everything is in full swing, and I said, 'I want to talk to you about New York, I want to talk to you about your childhood, I want to take you back,' and she looked at me, I remember, and she said, 'I need to change,' " he said. "And so she gets up and they escort her back into the room, and 15 minutes later she comes out in this amazing leather jacket, just total New York City punk rock. … I just saw that person transform."

Don't miss "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside" to hear Mother Monster herself open up about the creative forces behind her generation-defining career. Our exclusive documentary airs Thursday, May 26, at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, followed by a live stream on MTV.com hosted by MTV News' James Montgomery and featuring special guests Lady Starlight, Justin Tranter from Semi Precious Weapons, documentary director Davi Russo, producer Fernando Garibay and Gaga's biggest Little Monsters.

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Tony Awards Host Neil Patrick Harris Wanted The Brüno Incident For His Show

Posted 6/5/09 3:10 pm EST by in Behind The Scenes, Interview


By Garth Bardsley

On Sunday evening, the Tony Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway, will be presented at Radio City Musical Hall. And while the shows on the Great White Way this season might not be the most MTV-friendly fare (another "Guys and Dolls" revival?), the Tony producers chose a host with a broad spectrum of fans: star of stage, screen and Internet, Neil Patrick Harris.

"This is certainly a different way to go than a rock concert," Harris told MTV today, "but it's story-based, and I think a lot of the music is really great.

"A lot of people attribute, I think, Broadway and musicals with, like, jazz hands and razzmatazz, but there's a show this season called 'Next to Normal' about a woman that's going through mental issues. 'Rock of Ages' is a jukebox musical full of '80s hits with Constantine Maroulis, which is really a pretty kick-ass show.

"If people think Broadway's not for them, this demographic, there's a lot of cool shows to see."

One thing you won't see? A barely clad Brüno landing on someone's face, though Harris jokingly claims that the Tonys had the idea first.

"It's a shame," Harris said, "because we were really looking forward to that bit. But you guys copped it before we were able to get to it. Maybe next year.

"We couldn't get Eminem here," he continued. "Liza Minnelli isn't going to face-plant anywhere."

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Edgy, Raven-Haired Rose McGowan's Secret Crush Is ... Zac Efron?

Posted 5/29/09 9:05 pm EST by in Celebrity, Interview, red carpet


By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

If you know anything about Rose McGowan, it's probably that the actress used to date over-the-top rocker Marilyn Manson or that she's notorious for bad-girl, vixen-esque acting roles.

So when we ran into the star at the Burberry event celebrating the opening of the British company's new headquarters in New York and asked her who her Hollywood crush is, we kind of expected McGowan to say something that made more sense — like Johnny Depp. Or Adam Lambert even — someone with at least a little bit of edge or controversy. But no.

Instead, we got an answer no one was expecting: Cary Grant (also random) and — wait for it — Zac Efron.

Yes, Disney's boy wonder and generally squeaky-clean teen heartthrob is Rose McGowan's celebrity crush. Read More...

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A Walk Through New York's East Village With The Virgins, By John Norris

Posted 10/13/08 4:28 pm EST by in Interview


I've gotten so used to "New York band" being synonymous with "Brooklyn band" these days that it's almost jarring to meet a group that's kept itself planted in Manhattan.

"I tried to get an apartment in Williamsburg once," admits Virgins frontman Donald Cumming, "but this is home, man."

And unlike so many of those bands that now call Brooklyn home, three-fourths of the Virgins are that rare breed: native New Yorkers. Cumming grew up in the Tribeca neighborhood — before it was Tribeca — guitarist Wade Oates was a West Village kid, bassist Nick Zarin-Ackerman is from the Upper West Side. Only drummer Erik Ratensperger, a Connecticut native, did not grow up in the city.


And as we take a walk through the East Village — their 'hood and mine — they acknowledge how much the area has changed in the past 15 years, washed by a deluge of luxury condos and NYU dorms. And yet the guys still have their favorite hangouts. There's a burger joint (Paul's), a 24-hour diner (Moonstruck), the Chrystie Steps and Lit Lounge, where the Virgins shot their video for "Rich Girls," and where their pal Leo Fitzpatrick (of "Kids" fame) hosts a party.
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MCR's Gerard Way Rocks Comic-Con

Posted 7/26/08 9:14 pm EST by in events, Interview, Music, My-Chemical-Romance


Gerard Way at Comic-ConFROM SPLASH PAGE: Gerard Way may be one of the biggest rock stars in the world, but that doesn’t stop him from making the annual pilgrimage to Comic-Con. Way — who grew up reading comics, attended art school and interned at DC Comics before forming My Chemical Romance — attended the show to promote his Dark Horse book “The Umbrella Academy.” We chatted him up about the adventure in an exclusive video interview. Read More...

50 Cent Smooches Every MTV News Intern: 'I Get To Kiss All The Lovely White Girls!'

Posted 7/1/08 5:23 pm EST by in Interview, MTV News, Music


50 CentBy Danielle Beavers

Almost anyone who's heard of 50 Cent would assume he is the epitome of a player. After Monday's experience with G-Unit, a few of our female interns now know just how big of one he truly is.

As a News intern, I sometimes get to sit in and watch how interviews are conducted. When word spread that 50 and G-Unit were on their way over for a sitdown with Tim Kash, a bunch of us jumped at the opportunity to help out. What ensued was both entertaining and slightly uncomfortable.


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LL Cool J Takes Us Around Hollis, Talks Gold Chains, Obama & 'Hottest MCs' List

Posted 5/29/08 11:58 am EST by in Behind The Scenes, Interview, MTV News, Music, New Music Update


llcoolj

This in from production manager Adam Stewart, who shot with LL Cool J in Hollis, Queens, yesterday:

LL took us to the rock in Hollis where he used to hang out and where a music video of his was shot. Once people got word he was there, they started flocking to us -- dozens of fans interrupted our interview several times for a chance to snap a picture with LL and shake his hand. At one point, a city bus stopped, and kids tried to jump out of it just to meet him. Then we headed to his friend’s barber shop, Heads Up Barber Shop on Linden Boulevard (in the pic above).

Our talk with LL was all over the place…

He talked to us about changes in the hip-hop lifestyle –- how he claims that he brought champagne and gold chains to rap in ’88, because that was the life he lived. (He remembered arguing with Jam Master Jay about who had the bigger chains!) He believes the people weren't ready for that yet, and it took another eight or nine years before that style came back.

LL turned to politics and told us he’s convinced Barack Obama can take the general election, even though there are still pockets of racism in the US. LL also gave a shout-out to Hillary Clinton, saying he has plenty of respect for her, and he’s glad his own daughter has had the chance to see a woman run for president. "Americans have the ability to makes things happen,” he said. “It’s not easy to make it happen, but it can -- I'm from Queens.”

From the campaign to his music, LL said, “I'm not keeping up with the game, I'm winning! I'm ahead with the delegates, I'm ahead with the popular vote!" He wasn’t upset that he wasn’t included in MTV News’ latest “Hottest MCs in the Game” list, saying that it’s based mainly on chart positions and what people are talking about in the moment. "I could go outside and light an old lady on fire, and suddenly I'm the hottest rapper," he joked. “Next year, I'll be on the list."

Check back with MTVNews.com in the coming weeks for more from our talk with LL Cool J.

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Conor Oberst: Exhausting Democratic Primary Only Making Party Stronger

Posted 5/21/08 4:31 pm EST by in Interview


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With the results of Tuesday’s Kentucky and Oregon primaries in, Barack Obama now has a majority of pledged delegates for the Democratic Party nomination, leading many to dub him the nominee. Calls continue to come out of the Obama camp for Hillary Clinton to once and for all drop out of the race and begin the process of helping the party to unite behind the senator from Illinois.

At least one Obama supporter, though, is in no hurry: Conor Oberst.

Omaha’s folk-rock prince was one of Obama’s earliest musician supporters, playing at a rally for the candidate in Iowa on New Year’s Day, and several since then. And though O backs O as enthusiastically as ever, when I spoke to him last week, he said he has no problem letting the remaining primary states have their say.

“No, at this point [they] might as well,” he told me. “I don’t think there will be an issue with people coming together. Because it’s true there’s such a stark contrast with McCain. And I think everyone will understand that there are two clear choices.” Read More...

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