The Latest Show on Earth - 02/19/08 - part 2

[NezbitOfficialBand]

This song is fun to sing in basso profondo.

[ChrisSketch]

Awkward interview aside, the footage of Merritt playing is a real gem. I'm trying and failing to read his finger positions on The Nun's Litany but it's instructive nonetheless.

[embi3n]

I love the lyrics to that song

[MusicJew158]

This interviewer is fine. Merritt is a toughie.

[Inlovewithloureed]

oh my god this interview is giving me anxiety

[CheeseCakeExplosion]

"I go to the silent movie theatre. I eat the cupcakes."

I cannot believe people think of him as being a dick. He's very funny, I think. Dry, yes, and perhaps a bit abrasive, but a real laugh.

[henryyydarkkk]

My god this interviewer is awful.

[ultimatio]

Merritt is a notoriously difficult interview, but the right interviewer could play cat and mouse with him in a way that was pleasing to all three parties (the audience being the third). Unforutnately, this interviewer ain't it, but the fact that he isn't makes for some incredible, classic awkward Merritt moments.

[crowgirl1]

Thanks for posting! Please is there any way you could separately post just the song? I love this rendition.

[merrittfan]

7:11 is the most magical moment of all time. Look at that face.

[anulay]

Stephin Merritt reminds me a bit of Daron Malakian, both in the way he looks, dresses and acts.

[BethGoth15]

I'm using this interview for an assignment I have to do, because it's so badly done! lol

[BethGoth15]

I've just realised who that interviewer looks like. Michael Cera! :)

[monettube1]

screaming as a form of love....and never see the bank man...they dont mix...luckily...

[BethGoth15]

ROFL! I'm writing a Lemony Snicket fanfiction at the moment. In it, he plays the role of the girl-obsessed best friend who has sex with everything that wears a bra! It's so funny watching the real Stephin Merritt!

[lejaders]

lol "i go to the silent movie theatre... i eat the cupcakes....." i love it!

[icantmakemyownblood]

my favorite as well!

[rachelle1419]

I love you Stephen Merritt! Will you be my wife? :)

[simz12341]

will he be your wife ?????

[aaronmonkeylover]

why do people even bother to do interviews? Why bother if you are going to be standoffish> ?

[sithwilly]

I wanna see the dancing pig. I'm sure that Mr Merrit's sorry not to be more articulate for our name caller.(see dick below) Review him on his music not the fact he doesn't fit "the mold" of whatever you may find acceptable. They said the same about Nikola Tesla, David Byrne & many other non conformists Mr. BJ Smith

[williamjaysmith]

yikes... i feel bad for that guy , merritt seems like a dick

[gizgil]

wow, what a strange interview. the only other time I've seen Merrit talking was when he did that write-a-song-in-48-hrs thing for "All Songs Considered", and he didn't seem quite so taciturn there! He definitely seemed as animated and excited or the interview as a guy in the dentist's chair -- getting an answer being like pulling teeth, etc. The questions didn't seem that irksome or anything, just standard (meaning because some interviewees hate getting lame questions, but these weren't bad).

[matman125]

who cares about the interview, he has a badass hat!

[ellachristina]

People who do love interviews are typically the self-absorbed egotistical ones. The type who love hearing their own voice...

I don't think Stephin Merritt is one of them.

[BeWaTer99]

He isn't. Actually, he hates interviews...

[bogartboy]

Stephin Merritt is such a hoot!

[walnut85]

distortion is amazing. i am fortunate enough to be one of the few people on this earth to be able to enjoy this music

[the4thskoot]

yes your taste in music is very alternative/underground and no one else likes the magnetic fields.

[walnut85]

that is exactly what i said.

[gizgil]

lol. sarcasm rules. if you are fortunate enough to spot it, that is. ;)

[inranglhood60]

Few and fortunate hu? sure... and know one knows the beatles... I probably just missed your point. later

[Sharpster7]

his body language SAYS it all. Look how FARRRRRRRRRR away in his chair he becomes... hahahahaha

[Swidster]

"I go to the silent theaters, I eat the cupcakes."

[Neurozumim]

Stephen writes music for all types of persuasions. I mean...mood persuasions. There is much cynicism and then it's back to sheer sentimentalism again. I wonder where all those relationships lyrics come from though, because I agree that he seems bored in every of his interviews. It's as if he is doing this as a day job, but the children songs videos from this same show hints at someone who have kept his inner child intact. He sounds very hard to interview. Every interviewer get confused.

[StephinMerritt]

Are you sure about that ?

[Neurozumim]

You mean about the inner child? Hmmm...He's a complete mystery. But he likes Irvin Berlin... And Abba? There's no distanciation possible in genuinely loving Abba. All fans of Abba were listening to them when they were 7 to 14 years old and refused to grow up. Hard to interview? He's quite cozy here compared to other interviews I've read. You sounds like a very strong fan to wear his name. Have you ever met him?

[StephinMerritt]

I think I was referring to him being bored at the interview, I think every artist/celebrity is bored at this stuff.

I'm thinking he completely despises interviews, and only does it because he absolutely has too. Whenever you force someone to do something, this is usualy the outcome.

[Neurozumim]

Actually many music artists feel flattered by interviews and some also are very communicative with their fanbase (example: john danielle). Those who hate interviews tend to give them very rarely. For some reasons, Stephin keeps doing them, but does he really has to? I'm happy that he does but, but I'd rather have him pleased with his life.

[StephinMerritt]

Not sure how you got him

[itsmyname1]

Some people should be heard...not seen.

[nicktleonard]

and you neither

[nicktleonard]

that was for itsmyname1 by the way

[itsmyname1]

Oh honey...I admit I'm not pretty. Honest. I'm just saying.

[Neurozumim]

But how can you be so vain and yet listen to Merritt's music, though? I love his retro-irish style. This is a great show-interview. I'm amazed.

[itsmyname1]

His music is like getting a facial from a lepper. Sure, I don't mind depressing music to get me in the mood to sing my own tune "It's Christmas and I have cancer..."

[degrised]

I hate this stupid 'depressing music' tag. Just because he sings about odd and downbeat topics (or even depressing topics)doesn't mean that the music is depressing. In fact, I think the music is very uplifting (and even joyous). Lots of people agree. And as for the comments about his appearance, what the fuck has that to do with anything. I LISTEN to music. The attractiveness of the artist doesn't come into it.

[derekzwyer]

no! he has a low voice!

that means its depressing! god!

[Neurozumim]

I actually find Stephin Merrit very attractive, and on my Myspace in the "People I Want To Meet" section there is only his name. I wish I was the only one, though...

I do have a penis. Can anyone hook me up?

[Slothuny]

"A year and a half of... pain..." "This one sounds less like the Carpenters and more like the Carpenters as heard with the vaccuum cleaner on." Stephin is a genius.

[ianflaig]

"I go to the silent movie theater.......I eat the cupcakes.." *stare at camera*

Genius.

[emphaticapathy]

Is that some kind of euphemism I am unfamiliar with?

[shuckslbj]

I wouldn't be surprised if that were made into a bumper sticker on the Facebook application.

[chancetaylor]

i wonder how many cute young boys stephin gets. i remember reading an interview where he said he's never had sex because he's a rock star (making fun of being a "rock star"), but i imagine there are plenty of indie gay boys who think he's super.

[cromwellian13]

That's amazing!  How did you get him to come to your apartment?!

[iamtexas]

pure gold, this video

[ffavour]

he made me cry. over and over

[kazzineaux01]

Holy shit, he almost smiles at 5:05!

[nowheyjose2]

It's really interesting to hear his songs from Distortion done in the pure Stephin Merritt style.

[pooppoopplopp]

His performance uke is a national mahogany reso uke. The one in this video is a Mele brand 8 string tenor- he probably gets them free in exchange for playing them on these things

[Manualtransmissions]

awesome video,  you are very lucky to have interviewed him. I still dont know what kind of uke he plays, anyone?

[pacolli]

i love stephin's sense of humor!

[lofimax]

he looks like he hasn't slept in days. still a wonderful performance though, of course.

[BennetteLim55]

he's so funny, he makes interviewers feel uncomfortable.

[Sharpster7]

he makes ME uncomfortable watching it. I bet he's a horrible boyfriend. Unboyfriendable.