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Home » Interview With Hannah Blilie

Interview With Hannah Blilie

by
Trish Bendix
, Blog Editor
October 10, 2007

AE: How do you think the change in the lifestyle you live is going to affect the songwriting on the next album?
HB: I'm not sure. Definitely the songs have always come out of a place of struggle or pain, so as life gets more comfortable, I hope that the songs don't sound more comfortable.

I think the biggest thing is for us to have time off from touring. It's really hard to get in a creative space when you're constantly on the road, playing every night.

That's a good question — I'm not sure what the answer is yet. We'll see. The stuff that we've been writing so far has been really diverse, and I think there's still a lot to be passionate and angry about. And there's a lot to say about the world in general, even if it's not about personal struggle — which it still can be. It can be about the larger struggle in the world. I'm sure we'll keep our feminist themes that have been on the other records.

AE: What is it like now to go back to Portland after traveling all over and having tabloids follow you? Is there anything different?
HB: Nothing's changed here, really, which I think everybody appreciates. It's really nice to come home and just live normal lives and have that — kind of be separate. That's why we're not really all that interested in mainstream success in the U.S. We prefer to come home and be with our partners and dogs and cats, and be homebodies and stuff, and not have this kind of rock star thing follow us around everywhere.

AE: Is there anything else The Gossip is going to be doing before the live album drops, or are you just going to be taking advantage of all the free time you have now?
HB: We are doing a few things. We're going to the U.K. in October to play this one big show called Fashion Rocks, and it's with Beyoncé and Paul McCartney and all these huge superstars. [It's] this fashion show where bands play on the runway while the fashion show's happening. We're playing for this designer, and I don't actually know his name. I don't pay attention to fashion that much.

Then we have a huge festival we're playing in France in November, and then we go to Australia, New Zealand and Japan in December. So we're still on the road. We have a couple of weeks off here and there, but we're doing some touring, and then after the last trip we're taking time off to write, so we'll take some much needed "me" time.

AE: So you won't be touring in the U.S. until next spring?
HB: Yeah, at least. We might do a few shows in January when the live record comes out here, just big cities mostly. But yeah, the record has been out for so long that we're just like, ugh, let's just take a step back and wait until we have some songs written that we can tour off of again. It starts to get redundant for us. And fans, I'm sure, [are] like, "They're playing this set again?"

People might be bummed that we canceled our November portion in the U.S., but I think it's in everybody's best interest. Give us some time, and we'll get some new songs together, and we'll be able to tour off the new record.

For more on The Gossip, visit their MySpace page or their official website.

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pecola's picture

Great Interview!

Submitted by
pecola (1532 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 12:58am.
My frustration over the canceled US tour dates are assuaged. I can't wait for the new record. 
Ida's picture

While this hasn't got much

Submitted by
Ida (28 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 3:44am.

While this hasn't got much to do with the interview, I'm still laughing so hard about everyone going "olol u wantsta look like her?? liAR!!!1" when Keira talked about Beth Ditto - all she really said was, "When she was performing she started taking all her clothes off. I stood there watching her strip, thinking, 'Oh my God, that woman is so sexy, she has the most amazing body."

I mean, HELLO? Lesbian-ish moment?

Anyway, I love the Gossip, and Hannah Blilie is just...phoar.

Sammie81p's picture

Hannah is

Submitted by
Sammie81p (28 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 9:36am.

...crazy hot. I love drummers. The end.

 

-SMP-

Sian83's picture

Cool to hear Hannah interviewed...

Submitted by
Sian83 (8 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 10:01am.
As the press (music and otherwise) do focus primarily on Beth over here. To be honest in the U.K. far more attention is paid to Beth's weight than anyone in the bands sexual orientation. Having said that NME's decision not to put Beth on the cover when she topped their 'Coolest People In Music' list (the first time I believe this has ever happened) did result in them being accused of not putting a "fat, lesbian" on the front for fear it would cost them in sales. This was pre-slapping her on the cover naked obviously! That's the only incident I can think of though, generally they're just thought of as an awesome band (and rightfully so) with a huge straight and gay following. Is interesting to hear there wouldn't make it onto mainstream radio in the U.S.
Ms. V.'s picture

Friends with Kate Moss???

Submitted by
Ms. V. (15 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 10:20am.
I find it pretty hypocritical that Kate and Beth are friends especially since Kate represents exactly what the Gossip is preaching against—anorexia, the fashion industry's treatment of women, etc. It's also kind of trashy. And if Keira Knightly is so inspired by Beth, why doesn't she do something about it and eat something.

However, it's nice to see the band doing well, I've seen them before they added Hannah and their songs were stagnant. They really needed her upbeat, faster drumming. Standing in the Way of Control wouldn't be the same without her and I doubt the album would have gained any attention.
Lucy's picture

I get what your saying...

Submitted by
Lucy (74 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 1:04pm.

But at the end of the day the Gossip probably understand that Kate and others have their own opinions and views about things and dont judge or hold it against them...afterall you dont have to agree with someone to be friends with them :)

 

Anyway THe Gossip are AMAZING...i saw them play live at Manchester Pride in August and i LOVED it! Hope i get to see them again at

sweetmelisa's picture

Very cool

Submitted by
sweetmelisa (13 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 1:25pm.

interview. I love them and I'm glad to hear they're getting some time off to decompress. Their shows are intense! Can't wait to hear what comes from them after their downtime.

To the critics of The Gossip about their celeb fans or whatever- stop hatin. You're not going to find a more political, feminist, progressive band today. So go find something else to complain about: Bush, the war, the Jena 6, global warming, anything.

blimples's picture

Australian Idol

Submitted by
blimples (10 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 4:40pm.

If it was't for the "dubious honour of being butchered by an Australian Idol contestant" I would never have thought to check out The Gossip.

I kinda liked the Australian Idol contestants version but obviously I was only looking with my eyes and not listening with my ears. It was butchered but that's Idol for you.

The quote isn't correct because of the "u" but that's just my Australian English habit.

Jayati's picture

finally! Hannah is one of

Submitted by
Jayati (9 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 6:27pm.

finally! Hannah is one of the best drummers out there. I love Beth Ditto and all, but Nathan and Hannah are part of the trio too, all three are what makes the Gossip so awesome.

I wish the interviewer would have asked her what happend with Shoplifting and if she has any other musical projects lined up.

Trish Bendix's picture

i actually did ask about

Submitted by
Trish Bendix (12310 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 7:31pm.
i actually did ask about shoplifting--she said she quit a year ago and that it was a difficult decision but she had to choose the band that was more successful. she said a band mate relocated to Australia, so it made the decision a little easier on her. sad, but she wanted to devote herself to the gossip so i suppose we still get the best of her!
Rachel's picture

Yay!

Submitted by
Rachel (61 posts)
on October 11, 2007 - 7:58pm.
I squealed with joy when I saw Hannah's picture this afternoon!  More attention should be paid to Hannah and Nathan...and Hannah's tattoos *drools*
Robin's picture

Got a hug from Beth Ditto

Submitted by
Robin (51 posts)
on October 15, 2007 - 4:06am.

I flew to NY to visit family and I caught the Cyndi Lauper True Colors Tour at Radio City. Freakin' blew me a way, especially since I brought along friends who never heard of The Gossip or the Dresden Dolls. My friends instantly loved them. Beth was a little powerhouse on stage. It was amazing to see the songs played live. Afterwards, some of the bands would go down to the lower level to do signings. Beth was just chatting with fans. I gushed, I admit it. Told her I had all their albums and wore them out. She was so incredibly sweet. And she gave me a hug. So there, I am totally huggable. Other highlights: Cyndi, the Cliks, Margaret Cho and Rosie O'Donnell on drums for "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." I became instant friends with the gay blondie in my row when told him I had "Goonies are Good Enough" as my cellphone ringer. And yes, the crowd went wild when Cyndi went all Goonie on us. Ooh, another highlight: Dresden Dolls playing War Pigs. In the end, I bounced my ass off and lost my voice -- evidence of a great time.

My trip home was especially nice because it coincided with the LA stop of the True Colors Tour. I got to see the Cliks again, Cyndi of course and the Dresden Dolls once more. I was mortally bummed that the Gossip weren't on that stop. Amanda Palmer serenaded us on the way out of the Greek Theater. Another wonderful night of margaritas and garlic French fries (which you must part-take once in your life --- twice will kill you).

All in all, a memorable time. Ooh, one last note: seems the guys will only dance when Erasure is on stage. I'm not a big fan, but it's always fun to dance with the guys.

And yes, Hannah is very crush worthy. Indeed. Hmmm.

 

 

I'm a Sagittarius -- part ass, part dude with a loaded weapon, what's not to love?


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