By Marian Liu
Friday, June 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pm in Music, Marian Liu, Podcasts-Marian, Podcasts, General, live music.
There are few times that I enjoy talking to the artist as much as listening to their music. But this happened with UK singer Mika.
Check out my interview with him at this link :http://69.16.238.27/files/mika.mp3
Admittingly, his music is not for everyone. It’s a bit psychedelic, perfect for a Cirque du Soleil soundtrack. But, lately, with all the emo I’ve been listening to, it’s nice to hear something happy.
Born Michael Holbrook Penniman, the 23-year-old’s influences range from Japanese anime Cowboy Bebop to Marilyn Manson. He pens songs as character studies: “Most of the interesting characters from everyday life are the underdogs and are the outsiders, and I like to dress them up in these amazing clothes and paint incredible backgrounds behind them…I like to take reality and make it a lot more livable.â€
When I asked Mika what his Top 40 favorites were, he had to stop a second and look them up. He recognized Rihanna and that was it. This is ironic because I just interviewed chart-topper T-Pain, but refreshing as well, because Mika is different.
And he recognizes this difference and attributes it to his success, saying that the worst thing to be is mundance.
He performs Saturday and it should be a fun show, a bit like a circus.
WHERE: Fillmore, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday, June 9
TICKETS: $25; (408) 998-8497, (415) 421-8497 or
http://www.ticketmaster.com