Christine

Oh sorry you have to clean up dog crap! The record company job was fun. Not just because of the parties and meeting musicians, but the people who worked in the industry were creative and smart. They were also able to get me into the clubs when I was only 17, which was great because I looked even younger and couldn't sneak in on my own. I don't feel too old to be a fan, I just won't be stalking him on the streets, that's all. I used to live in Mika's neighbourhood, so who knows? Maybe I saw him and didn't even know it!

No I didn't meet him. I feel like I'm too old to chase after pop stars I used to work for a record company when I was your age so I've been to a few parties, backstage, etc. but I think I'd feel kind of silly now unless it was part of my job. I'm also ashamed to admit I wasn't even that excited to see Mika. I had been desperate for Paolo Nutini to come here and play a small club since last summer and because the show was 2 weeks before I was hyped up about that. But when Mika came on stage though I was blown away. I studied him for at least 5 minutes trying to be sure he wasn't lip synching. I mean, I didn't really believe he was, of course, because why would he when he can sing like that? But his voice was incredible and I just couldn't believe it was coming out of his mouth and not a recording. I have seen solo opera singers perform at the Royal Albert Hall, but to hear someone project like that in a small club of 500 people was extraordinary. The band was quite loud but during some of his piano and acoustic songs, he could have easily sung without a microphone and everyone would have been able to hear it. I'm a fan for life now and I can't wait until he comes back.

ThatPinkSock, I don't know about clubs in NY, but the Toronto show was all ages. I went to see Paolo Nutini in the same club 2 weeks before and it was drinking age only, so I'm guessing that the artist has some influence over this and Mika encourages all ages shows. I also saw Lily Allen at an all-ages show in a larger club last week. The bar is at the back of the club, so they check ID before you can go into that section, but young people were free to go up to the front of the stage.

Where there's a will there's a way. If you're in NYC you should be able to track him down if you're persistent enough. If he's not doing any scheduled CD signings or whatever, try to catch him at a TV/radio station. I know in Toronto he appeared on MuchMusic and MTV, plus people were able to meet him at the club. I heard him say he was playing some larger venues after this small club tour, but I would imagine it will just be larger clubs, not concert halls. Even in the case of concert halls you can always hang out back if the artist is very fan friendly, which Mika certainly seems to be.

Thanks for posting that article. Very interesting. His take on the bullying is heartbreaking and so hard to imagine. I don't blame him for still being bitter and unforgiving. But he should feel some satisfaction that the very things that made him singled out as a child are going to lead to such great success as an adult.

So she's Lebanese? At first I thought her accent was Slavic, but I thought maybe she could be a family friend.

I like the Girlfriend video too. It's kind of a mean song but she makes light of it by being the girlfriend in the video. I saw Avril Lavigne at a benefit concert with a bunch of other bands and the poor thing cannot sing. Mike live = 1000 x better.

So do you have to buy his CD to see him at HMV? I guess some fanatics are going to end up with 10 copies of LICM if you chase him from store to store.

arcenciel Oxford St. is a main shopping street. He's probably going to make an appearance at HMV or something.

Ah leave him alone. He's 23. He's English (sort of). It would be totally abnormal if he didn't drink.

Paolo Nutini does bulletins on MySpace so you can see it when you log on if he's one of your friends. I just want to make sure I hear about a new US tour (stop in Toronto please!!!). Canadian radio sucks so I listen to Capital FM in London over the internet. I expected it to take 6 months to a year for people to start making Mika noises in North America since that's typical for British artists. I was in a shop one day and I was shocked to hear Grace Kelly being played on a Canadian radio station. When it was over they said he was playing in Toronto and tickets had already gone on sale. I was like WTF???? I ran to the nearest computer and was lucky enough that they hadn't sold out yet and managed to get tickets. I'm sure I won't be so lucky next time since 3 weeks later tickets were being scalped for $100, so I'd like lots of advanced warning.

Brilliant! You are very talented and I love the idea behind the glasses.

I never paid much attention to the lyrics of Big Girl until I saw him in Toronto doing the brace action and thought "oooh...braces...those kinda braces"

Freddie, maybe just pecs?? They showed a clip last night on American Idol of Simon Cowell visiting children in Africa. They drew a picture of him and he was very disturbed to discover the person in the drawing had boobs. The host got a real kick out of it because he has been teasing Simon about his tight black t-shirts and his man boobs for years.

Fantastic job Sou! There were some details in there I've never heard before and your writing is excellent. You must be very proud.

Wow she's really good. What's funny about this song is she is actually saying he's not gay.

I don't hear any endless moanings about disappointed love. This is the first I've heard of it and he says he just wants to forget about it. Doesn't sound like he dwells on it at all.

He could probably use a little more fat in his face once he gets into his late 30s and 40s to keep his skin looking as good as it does now. But right now I think he looks great

Come on Mika, stop being so coy and come out to play. If you don't want to start a riot on the message board, how about doing a Q&A like this? Just pick and choose which questions to answer when you have time. http://bnlblog.com/viewQ.asp

Simon is still an A&R rep for Sony BMG.

Ah Mika. We knew you when...

No Claire, I didn't. How cool!

EnFa, the Royal College is on Prince Consort Road if that helps.

I know Sou, but the professional shots belong to magazines, photographers, etc. Someone must have made a request to have the original photo removed. Mika should update his own entry! He must have permission to use some of his professional pics.

Ah, thanks CazGirl. I didn't realize he left school so recently. Maybe I'll run into him at Waitrose next time I'm in London