Pitchfork

Gregg Gillis, why u act so crazy? Because he can, folks, because he can. As if wild gig antics weren't enough, the Girl Talk phenom's latest escapades took him from the pages of Playgirl magazine all the way to the U.S. Congress. Pull up a chair as we recap.

First off, let's burst a few bubbles by mentioning that while Gillis will appear in an upcoming issue of Playgirl (specifically the "Man of the Year" issue), "he will be shirtless, in jean shorts and hightops...and doing air kicks," according to his publicist. In other words, if you've ever been to a Girl Talk show, you've probably seen more Gillis skin than Playgirl's readership. Be proud.

Next up, Gillis was the talk of the U.S. Congress for about 20 seconds just this past Wednesday, March 7. Usually when U.S. Congresspersons make mention of a musician it's to point out how horrible and depraved he/she is, and by extension how doomed and good-fer-nuthin the youth of America are. Usually.

This time, however, U.S. Rep Mike Doyle-- of Gillis' own 14th Congressional District of Pennsylvania-- actually made a positive example of Girl Talk's mash-up work, likening it to Paul McCartney jacking a bassline from a Chuck Berry song, and raising the question of whether art is simply evolving beyond traditional notions of copyright. He also asks why Gillis is flying high while DJ Drama's taking so much crap, which is a pretty good question.

This all happened at Wednesday's second Congressional oversight hearing on the "digital future of the United States", which addressed copyright and intellectual property issues in the age of digital media, specifically radio.

Best of all, you can watch all three-and-a-half captivating hours of the hearing-- held by the U.S. House of Representative's Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet (of which Doyle is vice president)-- on the world wide web! Or just jump to around the 21-minute mark to catch Doyle's brief statement (we wonder if that savvy looking chap behind him actually wrote it). Stick around to hear John Shimkus (R-IL) admit to being "clueless" and Jane Harman (D-CA) call Doyle "so hip." Who knew Congressional hearings were this entertaining?

What's more, Gillis has just fired up a new project called Trey Told 'Em with drummer Frank Musarra. "It's a beat-making, remix, and production group," said Gillis in a press release. "It differs from Girl Talk in that there will be more original instrumentation work." Cool deal. Look for Trey Told 'Em to crash the gates soon with a Tokyo Police Club remix.

Next, catch Gillis doing what he does best in filmmaker Brett Gaylor's new documentary The Basement Tapes, which explores copyright issues in the modern age. Gaylor, who made the film in conjunction with the National Film Board of Canada, has released it in a rather unique format. It's on the internet, and you can, um, remix it. Right. Find out what exactly that means by scoping the film's website at Open Source Cinema.

Finally, Girl Talk hits the road this month! Yes! Pitchfork SXSW Party! Yes! "Pure Magic"! Yes! Carpel tunnel! Yes!

Girl Talk topless:

03-11 Sunrise, FL - Markham Park (Langerado Festival)
03-16 Austin, TX - Emo's (Pitchfork SXSW Party) *
03-17 Austin, TX - Elysium (Fanatic Promotion SXSW Showcase)
03-23 Milwaukee, WI - Stonefly Brewery
03-24 Madison, WI - Union South Club 770
04-06 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
04-07 Cincinnati, OH - Alchemize
04-13 Buffalo, NY - Soundlab
04-28 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella Festival)
05-04 Providence, RI - The Living Room
05-25 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
05-26 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
05-31 Barcelona, Spain - Parc del Fòrum (Primavera Sound Festival)
06-09 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
06-16 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Festival

* with Peter Bjorn and John, Simian Mobile Disco, Deerhunter, Menomena, Rjd2, the Ponys, Fujiya & Miyagi, the Pipettes, Beach House, Marnie Stern, Do Make Say Think, Crystal Castles