owl and bear

Owl&Bear: Where did you get the name Girl Talk and what does it signify, if anything?

Gregg Gillis: I was trying to pick the most intimidating name possible, something that when people hear it, they just sense insanity.

Owl&Bear: How fucking rad is it to be able to party for a living now?

Gregg Gillis: It’s pretty cool. Last night, I watched Scarface and Troll on a projector at my apartment by myself. Today, I woke up at 2:00 PM, ate lunch at Eat N Park, and tonight, I’m going to drink tequila and practice karaoke with my friends Richard and Cassi. I’m trying to master Temple of the Dog’s “Hunger Strike.”

Owl&Bear: Obviously, you have a great love for hip hop, so what artists specifically influenced you the most in your becoming Girl Talk?

Gregg Gillis: Growing up, I was really into the new jack swing genre, especially Bel Biv Devoe. They had a fairly quick sampling style that can be heard in my music. I also got down with the more serious stuff, like Public Enemy and N.W.A. Public Enemy’s appropriation style is also a huge influence, just layers of different samples going on. It was extremely experimental and progressive for music that was Top 40 at the time.

Owl&Bear: Which was better for you, Pitchfork or Bonnaroo?

Gregg Gillis: At the Pitchfork festival, I was cut off prematurely because the cops showed up and said there were too many people everywhere. So, that didn’t help me out too much. I was friends with more bands and enjoyed more of the acts at Pitchfork, but as for my actual set, I thought Bonnaroo went down better. The sound was insane, everyone was freaking out with the freak-outs. It was a magical hour for me.

Owl&Bear: What kind of current music do you dig?

Gregg Gillis: I listen to anything. Currently, I’ve been jamming new music from Bone Thugz & Harmony, Of Montreal, Swizz Beatz, UGK, and My Chemical Romance.

Owl&Bear: What’s your go-to song to really get the asses shakin’?

Gregg Gillis: I only do remixes when I play live. So, it’s never like “Man, I better play ‘Nuthin But a G Thang’ to set it off right now.” At my shows, people are familiar with my last album, Night Ripper, so if I want to pick up the intensity, I just drop in some elements from that, and people usually get sweaty.

Owl&Bear: I’ve heard rumors of a new album. If, and when can Girl Talk fans expect any surprises?

Gregg Gillis:Everything new that I play live is work towards a new album. I’m trying to lock it down by fall. I might try to work in a few guest spots that might surprise people. I want to collaborate with Three Doors Down on some material if they’re up for it.

Owl&Bear: Did you know that putting the Night Ripper on in a car can be fatal, especially in heavy traffic?

Gregg Gillis: When I finished the album, I played it in my car for a week straight. I made my friends listen to it on repeat. It was almost fatal. I haven’t listened to it in car since.

Owl&Bear: What do you think of the argument that Girl Talk is all style, no substance?

Gregg Gillis: Everything is stylish to someone else. Everything lacks style to someone else. Everything has substance to someone else. Everything has no substance to someone else. Everyone has opinions; some people think there’s are correct.

Owl&Bear: If being fresh to death were a crime, would you become a fugitive, or turn yourself in?

Gregg Gillis: I love The Fugitive movie.

Owl&Bear: Have you had any feedback from the artists featured in your work?

Gregg Gillis: No, unfortunately. But I just met Thurston Moore last weekend and told him that I sampled his music without paying for it, and he said it was cool. Then we took a camera phone pic together. Then, I walked away, and he was by himself. He played air guitar and made some guitar noises with his mouth, just hanging out alone, no joke. He’s a great dude.

Owl&Bear: Will you ever mature into Woman Talk?

Gregg Gillis: I want to mature into High School Undertaker.

Owl&Bear: What kind of software and/or equipment do you use?

Gregg Gillis: I use Adobe Audition and Audiomulch.

Owl&Bear: Is there anyone you would like to work with?

Gregg Gillis: The Melvins, Todd Rundgren, and Timbaland.