The initial lineup for Pitchfork Music Festival 2008, the "annual rite of indie passage" as they cheekily refer to it, was announced yesterday afternoon. Blogs, message boards, and online magazines lit up brighter than a Christmas quasar, but instead of simply regurgitating the Pitchfork "news story" for Tiny Mix Tapes, I wanted to interview Ryan Schreiber again (like last year) for round 2 in "Mango Starr Interviews The Pitchfork Bossman." We met at the same coffee shop, but this time Ryan insisted he wear a red hat (instead of blue) to "make things interesting."
Hi, I'm Mango Starr. Staff reporter for online music magazine, Tiny Mix Tapes. Remember me?
Sure, how's it going, bud?
I'm well... Actually, I'm a little nervous, so bear with me...
Nervous about what, Mango?
Haha, oh, um... I don't know, haha. I actually haven't done an in-person interview since the last we talked, so I'm a bit rusty.
Haha, weird. Doesn't Mr P gather enough content for you to cover?
Fuck no. Mr P basically scans Pitchfork all day to see what he needs to cover on Tiny Mix Tapes. Haha!
Oh, I see. No worries -- it's all good. What's up, buddy?
I see that a band called Public Enemy are performing a full album on the first day.
Yep, I'm really excited about it. I love that album.
I guess that's one of the perks of being editor-in-chief of Pitchfork!
What do you mean?
Oh, well, I'm just saying you're lucky you get to hear albums even before they're released. I'm more of a newswriter/features type of guy, so I don't get promos. I'll probably buy it when it's released though.
Well, actually, Mango... It Takes a Nation came out roughly 20 years ago. You've never heard of Public Enemy?
Oh, um.... I've heard OF them I suppose. Never actually heard, you know? So I haven't kept up with them I guess. Haha, oh man... I didn't really have time to do research before this interview since the fest news was just announced on your site, and...
That's quite alright, Mango.
Yeah?
Yeah, buddy.
Uh, thanks... Should we start over?
Well, honestly, I'm a bit short on time today. Would you be interested in hanging out at all tomorrow?
Oh well, actually, Mr P wanted the story handed in tonight...
Oh, well, I just mean to hang out, grab a bite to eat, you know. Just chill. Listen to some tunes... HEY! I could show you that Public Enemy album if you want!
You seriously want to hang with me?
Yeah, why not?
Shit man, that's awesome! No, no, I'm totally down for hanging out!
Let's do it, man! Let's hang the fuck out!
Hell yeah! We'll totally just chill out and fucking HANG.
We'll just fuckin' hang 10 like surfers. We'll hang like kids on some fuckin' monkey bars, man.
Like the clothes in your closet: We'll be HANGING!
Definitely, man! Haha! Stick a fork in me, I'm hanging with Mango Starr tomorrow!
Pitchfork Music Festival 2008 runs from July 18-20 at Chicago's Union Park. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 12 here. Definitely get in touch with me if you want to hang out at the fest.
Initial festival lineup:
- Day 1: Friday, July 18:
Pitchfork Music Festival and All Tomorrow's Parties present Public Enemy performing It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back - More TBA
- Day 2: Saturday, July 19:
Animal Collective - !!! - Vampire Weekend - Dizzee Rascal - No Age - Atlas Sound - Fleet Foxes - More TBA
- Day 3: Sunday, July 20:
Spiritualized - M. Ward - Boris - Extra Golden - El Guincho - More TBA
