Case alumnus Girl Talk returns for end-of-year blowout
Adam Spektor
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Focus
|
Gillis, who studied biomedical engineering while at CWRU, now works solely as a mash-up artist, taking cues from John Oswald, Osymyso, and some of the genre's other pioneers and elevating it to new popular heights. His 2006 album Night Ripper launched him into the popular consciousness and his 2008 pay-as-much-as-you-want release Feed the Animals solidified his popularity.
Girl Talk boasts a distinct style, letting the mash-ups run for an entire album's length, and pulling samples from indie favorites like Yo La Tengo, X-Ray Spex, and Neutral Milk Hotel alongside hip-hop superstars like Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, and UGK. Among the highlights of his career have been the careful, clever layering of The Notorious B.I.G. over Elton John, as well as placing Lil' Mama over Metallica. The format translates well to a live setting, often giving the show the feel of a dance party more than that of a typical concert.
The Case Alumni Association struck gold with Gillis this year. "Each year, the CAA sponsors a 'senior send-off,' which is usually a casual gathering with food at a restaurant or a bar," said CAA member Matt Patton. "The 'send-off' morphed into an all-campus end of year situation due to Girl Talk's popularity." A co-sponsorship with UPB also provided funding for the show, causing tickets to be free of charge.
Tickets will be available on April 30 at Fribley and Leutner from 4 to 6 p.m. and April 24, 28, and 29 at Thwing from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. "Ticket sales are on pace to sell out," said Patton, so those who wish to attend should grab one while they last. The concert itself will be held on Thursday, May 7 at Adelbert Gym at 7:30 p.m.
Never will another alumnus have quite the homecoming celebration that Gregg Gillis has in store.
Be the first to comment on this story