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John Norris Looks At How Far The 'TRL' Family Has Come

Posted 11/17/08 12:35 pm EST by in John Norris, TRL

John Norris and Nick CarterOverwhelming.

I don't know any word that better sums up what Sunday night was like. I have almost 20 years' worth of live MTV events — VMAs, New Year's Eves, Grammy preshows, election nights — to treasure. And yet "Total Finale Live" has to rank up there with the best of them. I think that as much as that has to do with the insane roster of celebs that turned up for our big send-off — proof, if you needed any more, of the enduring impact of this pop phenom — it is also a tribute to the countless former co-workers who came back to join us on this night.

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Titus Andronicus Sign With XL; John Norris Smiles

Posted 10/30/08 2:01 pm EST by in John Norris, Titus Andronicus

So my smile of the day came with the news that Titus Andronicus — that terrifically tortured band, the pride of Glen Rock, New Jersey — have landed a deal with indie heavyweight XL, the folks who bring you Vampire Weekend, Sigur Rós, and a little album called In Rainbows from Radiohead, among others. XL plans a reissue next month of Titus' album The Airing of Grievances, which was previously released on Jersey's Troubleman Unlimited. Hopefully this means wider attention will be paid to a record that deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.

One of my favorite interviews of the year was a summertime sitdown with the Titus guys in a suburban backyard. Hear what they have to say about Shakespeare, Seinfeld, shoegaze and punk — and best of all check out a couple of their rousing tunes. Read More...

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Madonna Vs. Of Montreal: Whose Show Is Fiercest? The Results May Surprise You!

Posted 10/13/08 6:41 pm EST by in John Norris, Madonna, Of Montreal, tour

MadonnaTwo flamboyant tours stopped in New York City last weekend: Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour and Of Montreal's latest stage show. Both artists share a flair for the dramatic, elevating their concerts to epic theatrical extravaganzas. But there's one major difference: ticket price. The best seats at MSG went for $350, while Of Montreal charged only $23 for general admission at Roseland Ballroom!

So any Madonna fans out there who are strapped for cash, here's why you can — and should! — check out Of Montreal's latest gigs and still get a Madgetastic show for a fraction of the price. Here's a breakdown of which show is better at what:

COSTUME CHANGES!
Madonna: Lots of black. Lots of top hats. Lots of shorts. Also, there's whatever this is.

Of Montreal: Frontman Kevin Barnes dresses like a cardinal! Then, he's a minotaur! He's in a bikini bottom! He's wearing a giant fanny pack! He's covered in fake blood! He's smothered in whipped cream! He's dressed like Prince! Shall I continue?

Advantage: Of Montreal. Half the fun of a Madonna concert is seeing what she's decked out in, but her latest wardrobe is a far cry from the Gaultier-designed Blonde Ambition garb. Stick with Of Montreal's wild and outrageous "WTF ARE THEY WEARING?!?" appeal.
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Grizzly Bear Come Out Of Hibernation (With Good Reason)

Posted 8/2/08 1:44 am EST by in John Norris, Lollapalooza

Grizzly Bear make an exception for one band only.

One of the more anticipated left-field bands at this year’s Lolla is the experimental Brooklyn quartet Grizzly Bear, who after a hugely acclaimed 2006 album, Yellow House, have fans hungry for a follow-up. And it’s in the works -- the guys recently completed four songs in a studio in upstate New York, one of which, “Two Weeks,” they unveiled recently on the "Late Show With David Letterman." Normally, Grizzly Bear would not interrupt those sessions to go on the road for any reason. Well, except one. It turns out one of the biggest bands on the planet, Radiohead, tapped GB to open the next couple of weeks of U.S. shows for them. And as Chris Taylor told me backstage at Lollapalooza today (where both bands were playing), that’s an offer you don’t turn down.


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John Norris Goes In Search Of Vegan Burritos (Or Anything) At Lollapalooza

Posted 8/1/08 6:24 pm EST by in John Norris, Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza's front gateThis place needs its own zip code. Really. It’s been a few years since I was at Lollapalooza, but this place qualifies as a small town within one of America’s biggest cities. Took a full half hour to walk the length of Grant Park this afternoon. Began the day with two sets from very different places, geographically and musically – conscience and hip-hop from Somali musician K’naan, followed by my brothers from the ATL, The Black Lips, delivering plenty of flower punk, and some gobs of spit.

(Watch our video interviews from Chicago, including chats with the Cool Kids and the Black Lips, and check back for more all weekend!)

Speaking of expectorate, you can’t spit at this place without hitting a beer stand. Bud Light everywhere you turn, plus there’s a beer garden this year with a ton of microbrews. Food is another matter. No, really. I hiked half a mile until I came across any food vendors. Very odd. Not sure if they are trying to keep the garbage in one place, but not a good move.

On my walk, I passed Perry’s – Perry Farrell’s dance tent in a grove. Very cool atmosphere – though this early in the day, and without the benefit of, you know, the state of mind that makes dance tents fly, it was a bit subdued. DJ Wally Joy on the ones and twos, and hanging from the trees there were day glo fabrics and spheres, from the man who gave you Porno for Pyros and ENIT. Once a trippy dude, always a trippy dude.

Did someone say trippy? Next on my journey, I encountered “Eat Your Own Spaceship,” a circus tent seemingly operated by none other than those creatures from another galaxy called Oklahoma, the Flaming Lips, who are screening their long-discussed film “Christmas on Mars” here at Lolla. The tent is surrounded by pics of the Lips, and written in Russian, a call to make weed weegal.

Finally, I found a vegan burrito (they are gonna starve these people) and now it’s off to an afternoon and evening chatting with Grizzly Bear, Duffy, CSS, the Raconteurs and more. No Radiohead interview, alas. Thom: If you are reading this, I will be on site till about 11 if you change your mind.

(Watch our video interviews from Chicago, including chats with the Cool Kids and the Black Lips, and check back for more all weekend!)

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The Ting Tings Won't Let A Little Tornado Ruin Their Fun At McCarren Park Pool

Posted 7/28/08 5:38 pm EST by in Behind The Scenes, Concerts, Interviews, John Norris, mccarren park pool, the-ting-tings

By Megan Warner

There's nothing like standing under a giant metal stage during a lightning storm — it gets the heart rate up.

But when fellow producers Sarah Muller, Daniela Capistrano and myself headed out with John Norris to interview the Ting Tings, the duo seemed unfazed by the whole we-might-get-electrocuted-out-here thing.

"I think it's dramatic," said Ting Tings frontwoman Katie White, noting that being from England, they are pretty used to the rain. "Maybe the pool will fill up!"

Mother Nature didn’t make things easy for anyone at the at the Jelly NYC Pool Party. I had to balance the wireless mic adapter at a certain angle to avoid static, and to keep both the camera and talent dry, we built a dome of umbrellas. But the wind wasn't having it. A sudden gust took John's umbrella (which he referred to as a small lightning rod) out of the picture, and he had to wrestle it back as it flipped inside out.

Find out how we survived the storm and watch footage of the show after the jump!
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Fleet Foxes And Titus Andronicus Give A Lesson In 16th-Century Painting

Posted 7/14/08 4:25 pm EST by in John Norris, Music, sub pop

Pieter BrugelAnd now for the unlikeliest indie icon to emerge in the first half of 2008: Pieter Bruegel.

Pieter who? If you're not up on your art history, allow me: Pieter Bruegel was a 16th-century Flemish painter whose depictions of peasant village life and landscapes with a busy, decidedly twisted look have caught the eye of art lovers for centuries. Now, Bruegel, known also as "Pieter the Elder," has caught the attention of the younger set — or at least two bands creating a buzz within that set.

Seriously, what are the odds that two bands from opposite sides of the country with little in common musically — but which have emerged almost simultaneously in mondo bloggo — would each pay tribute on their debut albums to the same Renaissance master? I'm gonna say slim to none. But that, brothers and sisters, is exactly what we have. Read More...

On Michael Stipe, Obama and Paris - John Norris Checks In

Posted 3/27/08 11:19 am EST by in John Norris

rem

I just got back from Paris Tuesday night, and didn't find out 'til yesterday how breathlessly some press outlets in this country (both of the old and new school variety) were jumping on the recent “revelation” in Spin magazine that REM's Michael Stipe is in fact, gay. Never mind that he said as much seven years ago to Time, made the cut for Out magazine’s "Out 100" in the mid-'90s and referred to himself publicly as a “queer artist” – this was CONFIRMATION, dammit – and I suppose it makes for as good a headline as whether Britney’s cameo on "How I Met Your Mother" amounts to a comeback. I love the video rejoinder that Stipe sent to People.com too – the faux-serious “statement” about his band-mates finally being brave enough to admit their heterosexuality. I understand Michael shot that in Paris – wish I’d have known we were both there – we coulda shared a café.

What passes for news these days, after the jump.

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