Droopsy Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Music interview: Mika Published Date: 04 February 2010 By Tom Cooledge "It's like you've taken all the pills in your grandma's medicine cabinet and you're going on a trip," says Mika, describing the staging of his latest tour which comes to Leeds later this month. "This new show is more effective as it's far darker. There's the same energy but it's made all the sweeter by the darkness. This show is far more explosive too, more interesting. It stomps. "I want to disarm my audience and introduce them to a very alternative world for two hours. I fuse theatre with a concert. I have done since the very early days." Still just 26 years old, this extensive tour follows on the heels of the September release of his second album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much and his comeback single We Are Golden. Of course, it's chapter two of the Mika story. Chapter one began when Michael Holbrook Penniman (to use his real name) became on overnight success in 2007 with the release of the piercing anthem, Grace Kelly. It became one of the tunes of the year and went on to sell 3m copies worldwide. That was then dwarfed by sales of his debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion. And from the start Mika's shows were extravagant affairs. Giant balloons, puppets, blow-up dolls, not to mention a troupe of curvy burlesque dancers performing during his other famous hit Big Girl (You are Beautiful). But, however outlandish, most agree no stage set can compete with the gangly, mop-haired, high-pitched star of the show. It's an eccentricty born out somewhat unconventional youth. Born in Beirut, Mika moved to Paris with his Lebanese mother and American father then relocated to London when he was nine. He says: "My parents worked hard to nurture the creativity of their children. My mother was a children's clothes maker; I grew up in a house where there was thread everywhere. We used to come down to breakfast and pick loose cotton off the bottom of our feet. "My father used to leave first thing in the morning; he wasn't creative, he had to work. You could tell he was jealous. "Now, I play some amazing shows. I played the Olympic Hall in Korea and 30 people had to be carried off in ambulances; it was hysterical and completely overwhelming. Who'da thought I'd go from a little chipboard piano to this?" There's something delightfully random about Mika. For starters the interview is arranged and rearranged no less than five times and he arrives for our chat late. Then when placed on speakerphone he complains: "It's a little bit crackly" and asks that we knock it off. At the same time he's incredibly polite and unquestionably endearing – a mixed bag born out of a somewhat bohemian background. "When I was starting out, my family helped me grow in the direction I wanted. I still love having my mother on tour with me", he admits, slightly bashful. "She can be a bit of a nightmare too though. I'd better not say too much; she's a bit of a gypsy and I'm quite into stupid superstitions. "Do you know I've been made a Chevalier of Arts and Letters in France?" (a honour bestowed by the French government on important cultural figures). "Me and my family laugh about it. It just seems so absurd that someone in the family should have such a prestigious honour. That's pretty unheard of. No-one under 30 is typically so privileged." His family is not merely important to him on a sentimental level, they also provide essential inspiration. His second album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much was seen as the exorcism of Mika's troubled adolescence whereas Life In Cartoon Motion focused on his earlier childhood. Deep introspection has forged an artist who isn't necessarily universally loved but is, at least, unique. Reluctance It's evident in many ways, not least his reluctance to be influenced by his pop contemporaries. He confesses a liking to Rufus Wainwright and Lady Gaga ("I love her, she's so much fun") but doesn't feel influenced by any act in particular. "Producers influence me more than artists, if I'm honest," he admits. So, will they be the defining influence shaping future material? "Well, it certainly won't be reviews," he says. "I live in a fantasy world, I'm there in my shows. I try to escape from aspects of the real world, that includes reviews! "I'm not mad about them. I don't read them, in fact. Often, they don't offer me anything as a performer. I do love the idea of constructive feedback though. I love being given a suggestion I might build on. "But I'm in the position of total freedom now. I can just express myself as I'd like." Mika seems to be just as wary of acclaim as negative press. The recipient of three World Music Awards shortly after his career began in 2007, the singer-songwriter was also recognised with a Grammy nomination and the Brit Award for British Breakthrough act the following year. As an act, he continues to be acknowledged by the awards bodies: Mika is a nominee for British Male Solo Artist at this year's Brit Awards. But, surprisingly, he doesn't automatically view them as a good influence. "I'm always very grateful to receive an award," he insists. "But they infringe upon your creativity and impose a criteria you feel you have to meet as an artist. I believe that it shouldn't be what drives you and, ultimately, awards are distracting." http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/features/Music-interview-Mika.6043878.jp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FREDDIESDOUBLE Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Droopsy .. your smoking this week Really interesting on the new album ..cant wait Really interesting on South Korea .. 30 fans!! wow ... they sure made an impact:thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAK1 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 T4P Droopsy:thumb_yello: All these interviews are great, can't wait to see one from the Bristol Evening Post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipop_monkey Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 :bow: Whoa! Praise Queen Droopsy, what would we do without you? I get the sense that he considers 30 people being carted out of his show in an ambulance to be some sort of weird badge of honour. And his poor dad! "My father used to leave first thing in the morning; he wasn't creative, he had to work. You could tell he was jealous." Makes me want to give him a hug. Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodes100 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Music interview: Mika Published Date: 04 February 2010 By Tom Cooledge "It's like you've taken all the pills in your grandma's medicine cabinet and you're going on a trip," says Mika, describing the staging of his latest tour which comes to Leeds later this month. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/features/Music-interview-Mika.6043878.jp Ms. Droopsy you are awesome!:thumb_yello: This is another kewl article. Thank you. I can't wait for this new tour to begin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DANI56 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 grazie, Droopsy! ....you're unique! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marian538 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 "I want to disarm my audience and introduce them to a very alternative world for two hours. I fuse theatre with a concert. I have done since the very early days." :clap:it's gonna be amazing, thanks droopsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyJaneJJ Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thank you for posting Droopsy! really interesting interview oh..poor daddy... He seems like doing a little confused. His last Seoul gig venue was AX Hall in just 2300 crowd. I think his next Seoul gig venue will be Olympic hall. more bigger than ax hall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Droopsy, thank you for this one as well And his poor dad! "My father used to leave first thing in the morning; he wasn't creative, he had to work. You could tell he was jealous." Makes me want to give him a hug. That was also the key sentence for me, too. Somehow I always imagined his father to be a creative and very musical person with his wings tied because of his job. One thing is for sure, though. He is very proud of his son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipop_monkey Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 That was also the key sentence for me, too. Somehow I always imagined his father to be a creative and very musical person with his wings tied because of his job. One thing is for sure, though. He is very proud of his son. Mika said in some other interview recently that his dad actually wanted to be an architect. Maybe he's living vicariously through his youngest son now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracekelly85 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thanks again for this interview, Droopsy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Mika said in some other interview recently that his dad actually wanted to be an architect. Maybe he's living vicariously through his youngest son now. Yes, probably. But his youngest son is musical, too.... I also wanted to be an achitect, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuna Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thank you for posting Droopsy! really interesting interview oh..poor daddy... He seems like doing a little confused. His last Seoul gig venue was AX Hall in just 2300 crowd. I think his next Seoul gig venue will be Olympic hall. more bigger than ax hall. He definitely knows that he would perform in much bigger venue than before,I heard he mentioned that in 3 Korea interviews!!! And I def remember what he said in BBC2 radio last week that he would perform in Olympic Hall in Korea!! The interviewer must be confused about that... OH (lurker) Mika Don't worry all 30 pulled out people are not carried to ambulance!! they just went outside, had some fresh air, and came back to the back of the standingfloor and enjoyed the rest of the gig Maybe in Olympic hall Mika would see more than 50 people pulled out by the guards ..but I would be the survivor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilStar Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 T4P!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Angel Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thx alot for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Mastin Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I am loving Mika's interviews just lately. He's certainly opening up more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabine64 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thank you so much for posting. Can´t wait to see the show live..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWEETJY Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 OH (lurker) Mika Don't worry all 30 pulled out people are not carried to ambulance!! they just went outside, had some fresh air, and came back to the back of the standingfloor and enjoyed the rest of the gig Maybe in Olympic hall Mika would see more than 50 people pulled out from the guards ..but I would be the survivor! Yepp, Yuna's right... there actually was an ambulance.. but I believe no one was carried to ER. But It was really fierce though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyJaneJJ Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 He definitely knows that he would perform in much bigger venue than before,I heard he mentioned that in 3 Korea interviews!!! And I def remember what he said in BBC2 radio last week that he would perform in Olympic Hall in Korea!! The interviewer must be confused about that... OH (lurker) Mika Don't worry all 30 pulled out people are not carried to ambulance!! they just went outside, had some fresh air, and came back to the back of the standingfloor and enjoyed the rest of the gig Maybe in Olympic hall Mika would see more than 50 people pulled out from the guards ..but I would be the survivor! I think so they are NOT carried to ambulance. just take a relax We need make muscle will be strong krrrrrrr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiza Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 i love what he says about the upcoming tour!! t4p droopsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thank you for posting Nice interview! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madame blanche Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thanks for posting this interview! Oh god, every time I hear him talking about his upcoming tour, I feel more curious! I can't believe I still have to wait for it until May! By then I will be completely :insane:! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipop_monkey Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Don't worry all 30 pulled out people are not carried to ambulance!!they just went outside, had some fresh air, and came back to the back of the standingfloor and enjoyed the rest of the gig Yepp, Yuna's right... there actually was an ambulance.. but I believe no one was carried to ER. But It was really fierce though.. I think so they are NOT carried to ambulance. just take a relax We need make muscle will be strong krrrrrrr So Mika's exaggerating again, is he? Hmm, now that's a surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabine64 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 "It's like you've taken all the pills in your grandma's medicine cabinet and you're going on a trip," says Mika This gave me a good laugh, all pills my grandmother had were laxatives. Can you imagen to go to a gig after having taken all her pills? :floor: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sienna Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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