In which the author interviews a bluegrass musician of some repute in re: his new record Songs My Dad Loved.
Washington City Paper: How are you?
Ricky Skaggs: I'm having my first cup. [The author assumes Mr. Skaggs is referring to a cup of coffee, but does not inquire further.] So I'm good.
Where are you?
In Nashville.
You're not [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]
