On April 1, Gregg Gillis - better known by his stage name Girl Talk - was nice enough to spend some time with Amusement for an over-the-phone Q&A session before he comes to Miami University's campus at 9 p.m. April 30 as the headlining act at this year's Springfest before dreaded finals week. WARNING: 1) he's a Steelers fan and 2) (gasp!) he uses a PC.
Amusement: So Miami has you set to play a free outdoor show on the lawn outside Millett Hall. What do you expect from a free college show like this one and how do you mentally prepare to entertain thousands of drunken college kids?
Gregg Gillis: I definitely get nervous before every show a little bit. I play enough now where it's not a big deal, but I like to relax a little beforehand. The moment I walk onstage, whether there are five people or 5,000 people ready to be entertained, it gives me that adrenaline rush that I can do superhuman things that people don't usually do. I really like to just chill before. Sometimes the shows can be very exhausting and really extreme on the physical end.
A: Having graduated from college, worked full-time at an engineering job and then quit to pursue your music career, what advice can you give current Miami students in terms of pursuing their "dream job," especially given the current state of the economy?
GG: For me, doing music was something I never expected to turn into a career or even wanted to be a career. When I was in college, I put out a couple albums and toured a little, but I never really made any money at it. My whole plan was to finish engineering, get a day job and to do music as a fun kind of side project. I didn't just drop engineering to do music. Girl Talk got big enough that I was touring full time on the weekends, playing to tons of people. I ended up not having time to swing both jobs, so I quit.
A: You've played all over the world in both dark, sweaty indoor clubs as well as at large-scale outdoor festivals. Which type of venue do you typically prefer? How does your approach to these seemingly polar opposite style live shows differ?
GG: They're kind of different worlds to me. I came up playing in small spots, and it's kind of the natural environment for this type of show. I feel like when you can be intimate with the crowd, that's the best.
But at festivals it's just a whole different vibe. With a whole mass of people having fun and celebrating, nobody's that concerned with whether or not the artist is connecting to them on an individual level. I think festivals are unique because I don't get to do them that often. It's definitely cool and overwhelming but I think I would always rather be in a basement performing.
A: Lately, I'm sure you've heard about this Conficker worm that's supposedly ruining computers and causing identity theft. What laptop are you currently using?
GG: Well right now I've been using a Panasonic CF-74 Toughbook (http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/3danimations/start-74.html). With live shows it gets pretty physical up there onstage and I used to break a lot of my computers at my earlier shows. It's a rough environment for laptops to be in and my Panasonic is geared for people in rough environments, like people in the military. I'm using two of them right now and they have held up pretty well. I've spilled beer on them, people have puked on them, liquids are always flying everywhere, I've even kicked them off tables, but they've lasted okay. I'm always leaning over them too, and live shows can get pretty sweaty.
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A: Yeah, it must get really hot up there on stage. Are you usually pounding like 20 Aquafinas or are you drinking beer?
GG: Well, it depends. Sometimes I won't drink any alcohol. But if some of my friends are there I like to have a few drinks before. Again, at certain venues, sometimes it's really hot and I'll chug water the whole time. Other nights I like to fill up water bottles with 'alcohol content' and sip on those during shows. My tour manager helps bring me water bottles filled with beer in them. Then it's at least an option, if I want it or not. It just depends on the night of week, what happened before, who's there with me - just the festive nature of the show.
A: Hailing from Pittsburgh, how do you feel about coming to Miami University to play for a bunch of potential Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns fans? Or, did going to school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland change your opinion of Ohioans?
GG: You know, I'm a die-hard Steelers fan, and a lot of my relatives and friends absolutely hate Cleveland. But, I actually did live there for four years during college and I'm also a Cleveland Cavaliers fan. My tour manager John is from (Cleveland) too. Even though I have black and gold running through my veins, that doesn't mean my hatred runs deep for Ohio, haha.
A: Well at least you're a huge Cavs fan. Who do you have in the NBA finals this year?
GG: As far as the NBA I feel like it could be the Cavs going to the finals. I really hope they win it this year. I can't see Lebron going to another city if they win this year. I really want him to stay in Cleveland. As a dude from Akron I think he really reps us well. As far as who they would be playing, it could be the Lakers. I don't know if I can see (the Lakers) winning this year though. I kind of hate Kobe, so I don't really want them to.
A: Here's a Pittsburgh-specific question for you. Are you a Yuengling fan, or a Rolling Rock man? What are some of your favorite beers?
GG: Well, my favorite beer to have is Iron City. Period. I'm not a beer snob and I'll drink whatever, but when I can get my hands on an Iron City, I'm excited. You can't get it in too many places outside of Pittsburgh. But you know, I'm not dedicated to any one product. I'll drink the nicer beers and I'll also drink the shittiest beers.
A: Continuing the Pittsburgh theme, how upset were you about Pitt losing in the Elite 8 round in this year's Men's NCAA tournament?
GG: Oh man, that was a bummer. I had seven of the Elite 8 teams going into that weekend, but none of my picks made it to the Final 4. That sucked. But I was excited to see Pitt finally make it past the Sweet 16. I think it was great for the city. But it was a tough weekend for me to watch though.
*Be sure to see catch Girl Talk, laptops, water bottles and all when he plays his free show at 9 p.m. April 30 outside Millett Hall.
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