Finding the new “it” place — home of the latest, greatest, hippest people is an art. If I had to start somewhere, I’d start in Skirkanich Hall with the bioengineers. If Gregg Gillis is any sign, the hottest trends of pop-culture start with them.
On January 19th, at a swank bar in the Northern Liberties called Johnny Brenda’s, Gregg Gillis made an appearance and an impression Unfortunately, due to my lack the required identification, due in part to my under 21-ness, I couldn’t attend. But Gillis, well, he still astounds me.
See, Gregg Gillis, alias Girl Talk, is the man behind the latest hit CD Night Ripper.. The album is essentially one, giant, 40 minute long mash-up. Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” + Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” The Verve + The Ying Yang Twins, Madonna + Marky Mark and the funky bunch = 40 minute of awe.. You can check out the full list of titles here.
As amazing as the precision, accuracy, and get-up-and-dance-feel are on this CD, I’m even more amazed by the man behind the boogy. Music is a side job for Gillis — he works 9 to 5 as a bioengineer in Pittsburgh! He graduated from Case Western Reserve, where he first got into the digital music scene, and then moved back to his home town of Pittsburgh. His concerts, which range from smaller gigs like the past one in Philly, to stints in Europe, to this year’s Coachella Music Valley & Arts Festival, are weekend hobbies.
In an interview for Pitchfork Media, Gillis said, “It’s crazy. I jump in my car on Friday in my casual office gear heading to NY or wherever to do a show that night.” And people he works with in Pittsburgh” they have no idea they’re hanging with an uber-hippster.
So the next time you see the bioengineering kids leaving Van Pelt at midnight on a Saturday, think twice before making fun of them. They might be engineering the future of pop-culture.
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January 26th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
good to know. keep up the good work danny boy.