Free Samples

Girl Talk gossips

by A.D. Amorosi

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Before 2006's Night Ripper (Illegal Art), laptop popper Gregg Gillis (aka Girl Talk) was just a sample sucker with a biomedical engineering day job. But Night Ripper was zestier, trippier, poppier; more full-bodied and fucked-up. Night Ripper was a nonstop pulsing mess of more-more-more from as many different artists as you can count. The accompanying tours found Gillis taking off his clothes and getting his audiences to do likewise, resulting in an infamously wild live show. Fame grew. Big names called him for remixes. And now he's gearing up to do it all again.

City Paper: Has anybody at all stepped to you? Jay-Z, perhaps, since you sample him on all three of your full-lengths?

Greg Gillis: No, I look different than I did before. I'm growing my hair out and have a beard right now.

CP: If you haven't been sued ... why haven't you been sued?

GG: Nope. Fair Use covers that.

CP: You're touring again with Dan Deacon, who also happens to be pretty spazzy onstage. Are you ever worried he'll upstage you?

GG: Dan is one of my favorite performers right now. It is difficult following him sometimes, but I think our music usually generates different responses. His crowd is usually pogo pseudo-moshing, everyone bouncing together. My crowd is usually involving more traditional dancing, a lot of people doing very independent moves. I think we complement each other.

CP: Are you disappointed that Girl Talk actually started as a high-minded art project and has become more notorious for its dance groove?

GG: I don't think it's any more or less high-minded now than it's ever been. I'm proud of all of my work.

CP: With all the press, have your biomedical engineer co-workers found out about your other gig?

GG: I quit my job three months ago, but my co-workers did not know about my music life while I was working there. I don't think they pay much attention to arts and entertainment.

CP: Are some of the samples on Night Ripper meant to be funny?

GG: I try to be sincere and serious with the music, but I think some of the juxtapositions are funny. I think the Alicia Keys' "Unbreakable" sample is funny. I love that song.

CP: Do you feel pressure to outdo yourself?

GG: I feel a bit more pressure now. I've always loved bands who seem like they're doing whatever they want. I don't take my clothes off as often as I used to — I really only do it when it's completely hot and other people are doing it, as well. I've been making new music in a similar style to Night Ripper. I think it'll be very difficult to make my next album have more of an impact than Night Ripper, but I think it'll be very reasonable to make a more enjoyable record.

CP: I've heard you sample Booty Bass' "Shake That Ass Bitch." I know you've worked in Khia's "My Neck, My Back." You an ass man or what?

GG: I like all flesh equally.

Girl Talk

Mon., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., $13, Starlight Ballroom, 460 N. Ninth St., 866-468-7619, www.girl-talk.net