Posts Tagged ‘arts desk interview’
The Arts Desk Interview: Giant J of FunkyJahPunkys
In which the author converses with Justin Gully, frontman of Las Vegas’ FunkyJahPunkys.
Washington City Paper: You seem to be called Giant J.
Giant J: I try not to answer to that name. It’s grown bigger than me. I’m 5’4”, 115 lbs. I appear large when we start doing our thing. [Author's note: "our thing" refers to the FunkyJahPunkys energetic musical performances.]
How did you earn the nickname Giant J?
Read More “The Arts Desk Interview: Giant J of FunkyJahPunkys” »
The Arts Desk Interview: David Cross
In which the author discusses issues of great and small import with comedian David Cross.
Washington City Paper: Where are you? [The author often begins interviews with this ubiquitous question. He is aware the question is not interesting, but must make small talk with his subjects in order to put them and himself at ease. Unfortunately, the sheer stupidity of the question "Where are you?" often makes him and his subjects ill at ease.]
David Cross: I just got to Austin.
How’s Austin?
It’s 90 degrees. I’m wearing a baseball cap.
One must wear a hat to cover one’s dome.
I’ve come to appreciate how perfect the baseball cap is. For a guy like me, it provides shade. But if it’s too hot, I can take it off. But when it’s chilly, it keeps me warm.
What is the purpose of stand-up comedy?
Are you serious?
The Arts Desk Interview: Bai Ling
In which the author interviews actress Bai Ling, star of the new film A Beautiful Life.
Washington City Paper: Where are you?
[Bai Ling, on a crackling cell phone line, is barely audible. The author hears a roaring freeway which he suspects is in California, but can't be sure.]
Bai Ling: I’m on the freeway driving from my interview. [Ling's use of the word "freeway," West Coast parlance for "highway," supports, but does not confirm, the author's suspicion that the roaring freeway she is on is in California.]
Are you excited about the film?
I enjoy making independent films. People making independent films make films from their heart. That is what’s important in people’s lives. In the film, my character believes in her dream and is doing everything to find her dream. [Further research by the author confirms that Esther, Bai Ling's character in A Beautiful Life, is a stripper who dreams of becoming a singer.]
Is this relevant to your own experience?
Right now, it’s better for me than it is in [Esther's] life…I don’t know what her future is, but I think she’ll find her dream. The goal in life is for you to have a journey where you are walking to your goal. The journey is more important than the goal in the end. Even though she’s really struggling in her life, she has the joy and innocence in her life while she’s living her life day to day. Life is not living lightly—it’s going through hardships. It’s living life everyday as if you are already in a dream.
Read More “The Arts Desk Interview: Bai Ling” »
The Arts Desk Interview: Hawk Nelson
In which the author interviews Daniel Biro of Hawk Nelson, a Canadian Christian-rock quartet.
Washington City Paper: Where are you right now?
Daniel Biro: Albany.
How’s Albany?
Albany’s scary.
Because of all the straight-edge hardcore bands?
Because the ghetto neighborhoods I was running through. There were some smashed windows. There were some people eyeing me down.
The Arts Desk Interview: Phantogram
In which the author speaks with Sarah D. Barthel, half of the Saratoga Springs, N.Y.–based pop duo Phantogram, while Joshua M. Carter, the other half, lies down to recuperate from oral surgery.
Washington City Paper: Have you ever read any William Kennedy?
Sarah D. Barthel: No.
CP: Oh. [Sound of your correspondent's intracranial gears grinding, as he has prepared numerous questions about Pulitzer Prize-winning writer William Kennedy, author of the Albany Trilogy, which SDB will not answer.] Uh…is upstate New York as bleak and gray as everyone says?
