We had a short chat with
Lady GaGa today...and here is what she had to say!
Tell us about the 'Lady GaGa' look. Where have you found inspiration (designers, artwork, etc), or is it all from within?I really care about fashion...it's very important to me. Fashion is very poweful. I spend a lot of time brainstorming with my friends, going on youtube, watching old movies and reading fashion magazine imported from Europe. There is so much more influence in Europe. The whole concept [ of Lady GaGa] is really.. a futuristic look...I'm very inspired by Grace Jones. I've been watching all her videos, but I always try to be forward thinking on my own.
Tell us about your musical influences, and what you are into right now.
Right now i'm listening to Crystal Castles. I've always been into David Bowie, New York Dolls and Black Sabbath. I've been listening to a lot of raw beats sent from producers trying stuff that hasn't yet been done.
What are some of your favorite albums/artists of all time?
My favorite album of all time? Oh my god, there are a bunch. It might be Abbey Road, from the Beatles. I think No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' is one of the greatest records of my generation.
If you could duet with any artist dead or alive who would it be, why and what would it sound like?
I would want to work with Elvis. I don't know what it would sound like, but it would be hot!
Your album drops very soon, and we can't wait. What else can we expect from Lady GaGa this year?
A lot of underground projects, without the label...we're just doing stuff on our own. There are a few films that will be released soon. I've been working on implementing new technology for the live show. I wrote some stuff for Britney Spears' next album that I just heard today...so i'm really excited about that. A lot of music, though, Lady Gaga is not going anywhere.
Where do find inspiration to write?
I get a lot of inspiration from old records, as well as listening to what's hot right now. There is also a lot of 'in the moment' writing that happens in the studio. I don't want to record anything that doesn't take time and effort to write.
What is your favorite song off 'The Fame'? What is is about, and what does it mean to you?
I'd have to say this song called 'Paparattzi. It's the first interesting 'pop' record that I wrote. I'm writing a lot of interesting and innovative tracks, but not 'pop' records. That was the beginning of me being able to use pop songs as a vehicle. The song itself...well, I wanted to write a song about New York celebrity obsession..you know? Like these magazines have nothing better than to write about than a hot celebrity caught doing something in her car.
You've also written for other artists as well, like the Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears as you mentioned...Who else have you worked with and who was your favorite?
I did work for Britney, but I haven't met her yet. I actually heard the track I submitted to her, that she re-recorded and that was creepy. I'm also working the New Kids On The Block. I love working with Akon on my stuff, he's fuckin' brilliant.
Walk us through the concept for the 'Just Dance' video.
I really didn't want to do a video in a nightclub...that is so unoriginal. Every video i see on T.V. is in a nightclub. Ironically, my song was the only song that is actually about being drunk in a nightclub .
So I thought, how can I do a 'performance art' video...something that people can relate to and want to be a part of. I wanted to show everyone the party that I know. When my friends and I go out and party, we dress up all the time. Fashion is important and so is our individual 'artistry'.
Its our work that makes us famous, it's not money or the media. I think it's a really powerful thing when young people can strongly assert their ideas and be like...'this is what is good' and if someone says that it isn't, you say 'yes, it is...and this is why...'
A lot of people who watch the video love it, and a lot think that it is very strange. This is exactly what I wanted.
What can we look forward to in the live show?
Oh, the show, I mean that is my favorite part, my baby. We just keep brainstorming and coming up with what we think is new and interesting in stage design. I really made the decidsion that I didn't want my promo tour in American to feel like a promo tour.
I hate the feeling when i'm at a niteclub and an artist is doing performing to a track with a mic in their hand, and a bored look on their face. I'm not interested in 'auditioning' for the world. I'm not wasting time. You know? Like 'oh i'll audition this for you and if you like it...then i'll put the effort into the show. My philosophy is every performance should be a 100% realized concept. I want to feel like i'm playing The Garden every night.
You will see a lot of my new theatrical stage design on 'So You Think You Can Dance' next week.
You have been compared with Madonna recently, what are your thoughts on her and have you found inspiration from her? If so, in what ways?
I wouldn't say it's annoying to be compared to Madonna, but it's more annoying when i get multiple celebrity comparisons at once...and they are all blonde females. I feel like nobody really makes the effort to try to come up with better references.
Besides Madonna, I've been compared to Gwen, Christina, Debbie Harry, Cher (during her blonde years), Brigitte Bardot. I've had the same color hair as Andy Warhol, so there are other references that are closer than Madonna. But, Madonna, more than any of them, is a legend. I hope people see the similarity that we are both creative and forward thinking.
Beyond music, is there anything else you'd like to try...or are currently working on?
I definitly started out as an Andy Warhol type of artist, I dont like to live in one medium. I just secretly shot a 4 minute movie, and i didn't tell anybody about it, and i funded the project on my own, with the money I got from my publishing deal. I could have bought a car, or a house...but I dont really care about those things so I decided to make a movie. As far as the name, I dont know that it will have one...it might just be called 'The Fame'.
W are working with a new camera that has as good quality as film but shoots digital, so we didn't have to spend that much money. It's really cool and different. Im' excited about it because its the next chapter after the 'Just Dance' video.
It's very important for people to buy my album because they love the whole thing, and not just because they love the single.
-- 'The Fame' will be released on September 16th.
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