Heather Fink Interview - January 08, 2007

[size=150:nb09sc50]Jemaine Clement Interview - Monday, January 08, 2007

Jemaine Clement is one half of Flight of the Conchords, one of my favorite live comedy acts in the past few years. Their hilarious mix of comedy and music kicks a significant amount of ass. You may have caught them on their HBO special, or on stage if you were lucky enough to catch these New Zealanders while in the states. You also may have caught Jemaine in some Outback steak commercials pretending to be Australian. (And did you hear "
Of Montreal's song transformed to a jingle in an Outback commercial? God I want a 'ucking meaty juicy steak like RIGHT NOW- speaking of MEAT do not forget to see Street Meat TONIGHT!)

1) How did FOTC come to be?

We flatted* together in Wellington and were both trying to learn the guitar. Frustrated with not being able to remember other peoples lyrics or chords or have the skill to play them we started making up our own.

*roomed

2) You and Brit seem to be very skilled musicians in a variety of genres. What's your musical background?

His name is actually Bret, it just sounds like 'Brit' because we are fairly stingy with our vowel sounds in NZ and don't like to use too many of them. Bret played drums since he was a kid and has been in a few jazz bands as well as a couple of reggae and dub bands. My parents gave me a marching drum when I was a kid. They didn't give me the sticks though unfortunately. As a result Bret is slightly better.

(I'm a jerk who doesn't look up name spellings. It was rather uncivilized and I do apologize to Mr. Bret.)

3) You've achieved some success in a number of countries- how does the experience compare- American vs. New Zealand, etc. ?

In NZ we are famous for being famous in America. (We have been lying about how famous we are in America.)

4) Are you involved in any side projects?

We usually think of F O the C as our side project but this year it is overtaking our main projects. I am working on some animated shorts*. They centre around some sheep who work together eating grass. I'm also chipping away at a vampire film.

* not underpants, films.


5) You guys seem to have fun with the ladies. You sing about the ladies too. What do you think makes a lady special?

That she's not a man? I'm not sure how to answer this. I know I like them though. In NZ a lot of top positions are taken by ladies, the Prime Minister for example. I think Americans might want to try a lady for president soon. I think you'll just love it.

6) What sucks in comedy today?

I think comedy is in a good place today. There is a huge amount of variety.

7) What's great (in comedy today)?

I didn't read ahead I answered that question in the last question. Now all the readers are angry with me!

What's your favorite director/artist/musician/comedian/show- etc, something you think the world HAS to check out?

I really love these NZ guys I used to go and see called Sugar and Spice who are a highly dramatic surreal theatrical comedy duo. They don't venture out of NZ often though so it might be expensive for some of you.

I think they should check out The Magnetic Fields, The Phoenix Foundation, the soundtrack to Shortbus, anything with 'the' in the front of it like the outdoors, the psychic realm, the kitchen. They should check out the things they want to check out but haven't gotten around to it. They should check out that mole they've been wondering about. We all should.

9) What's your favorite New Zealand thingy?

I like pavlova. It's a meringue dessert with a soft centre. Do you have it here? Please don't as it would nullify my answer.

*center

10) What makes you feel pretty?

Uninterrupted sleep, compliments, wearing armour, looking at those old pictures of chimpanzees dressed as humans.[/size]

4) Are you involved in any side projects?

We usually think of F O the C as our side project but this year it is overtaking our main projects. I am working on some animated shorts*. They centre around some sheep who work together eating grass. I'm also chipping away at a vampire film.

Amily wrote:

Monday, January 08, 2007

[size=133:ph2k2hj8]Jemaine Clement Interview

[size=100:ph2k2hj8]Jemaine Clement is one half of Flight of the Conchords, one of my favorite live comedy acts in the past few years. Their hilarious mix of comedy and music kicks a significant amount of ass. You may have caught them on their HBO special, or on stage if you were lucky enough to catch these New Zealanders while in the states. You also may have caught Jemaine in some Outback steak commercials pretending to be Australian.

1) How did FOTC come to be?

We flatted* together in Wellington and were both trying to learn the guitar. Frustrated with not being able to remember other peoples lyrics or chords or have the skill to play them we started making up our own.

*roomed

2) You and Brit seem to be very skilled musicians in a variety of genres. What's your musical background?

His name is actually Bret, it just sounds like 'Brit' because we are
fairly stingy with our vowel sounds in NZ and don't like to use too many of them. Bret played drums since he was a kid and has been in a few jazz bands as well as a couple of reggae and dub bands. My parents gave me a marching drum when I was a kid. They didn't give me the sticks though unfortunately. As a result Bret is slightly better.

(I'm a jerk who doesn't look up name spellings. It was rather uncivilized and I do apologize to Mr. Bret.)

3) You've achieved some success in a number of countries- how does the experience compare- American vs. New Zealand, etc.?

In NZ we are famous for being famous in America. (We have been lying about how famous we are in America.)

4) Are you involved in any side projects?

We usually think of F O the C as our side project but this year it is overtaking our main projects. I am working on some animated shorts*. They centre around some sheep who work together eating grass. I'm also chipping away at a vampire film.

* not underpants, films.

5) You guys seem to have fun with the ladies. You sing about the ladies too. What do you think makes a lady special?

That she's not a man? I'm not sure how to answer this. I know I like them though. In NZ a lot of top positions are taken by ladies, the Prime Minister for example. I think Americans might want to try a lady for president soon. I think you'll just love it.

6) What sucks in comedy today?

I think comedy is in a good place today. There is a huge amount of variety.

7) What's great (in comedy today)?

I didn't read ahead I answered that question in the last question. Now all the readers are angry with me!

What's your favorite director/artist/musician/comedian/show- etc, something you think the world HAS to check out?

I really love these NZ guys I used to go and see called Sugar and Spice who are a highly dramatic surreal theatrical comedy duo. They don't venture out of NZ often though so it might be expensive for some of you.

I think they should check out The Magnetic Fields, The Phoenix Foundation, the soundtrack to Shortbus, anything with 'the' in the front of it like the outdoors, the psychic realm, the kitchen. They should check out the things they want to check out but haven't gotten around to it. They should check out that mole they've been wondering about. We all should.

9) What's your favorite New Zealand thingy?

I like pavlova. It's a meringue dessert with a soft centre. Do you have it here? Please don't as it would nullify my answer.

*center

10) What makes you feel pretty?

Uninterrupted sleep, compliments, wearing armour, looking at those old pictures of chimpanzees dressed as humans.

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