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LAist Interview: Debbie Harry
Listen to the interview here:
Deborah Harry is on her way to LA to play the Music Box at the Henry Fonda Theater tomorrow, Friday the 7th. She's got her first new solo album in fourteen years out, Necessary Evil, and you can hear some samples of it at her MySpace. Unfortunately our conversation sounds like I'm contacting her by sat-phone somewhere in Tibet but these are the days of multiline patch-ins so it couldn't be helped.
Harry's got some great opinions about mash-ups (you should check out "Rapture Riders" on the Blondie Sound and Vision release), "the mash-up has to be good and authorship is a priority" and she expressed some profound disappointments with the recording industry. "The industry has been taken over by lawyers and people not really interested in music, they're interested in money.... and this is leading, practically to the demise of the industry".
While Harry doesn't spend a ton of time online, she actively checks out bands on MySpace and has an iPod stocked with finds from there such as: Brazilian Girls, LCD Soundsystem, MIA, Bonde do Role, and many others. When asked about a duet she did with Lily Allen earlier this year, if Harry had the chance, back in the day, she would have done done a project/duet with Donna Summer or Siouxsie Sioux (wouldn't that have been cool?!). Necesary Evil is getting a lot of support from Harry's huge fan base and the reviews of her live shows from this tour marvel at her ability to continue to rock for 30+ years now. The Fonda seems like a great intimate venue to see someone as iconic as Harry, breaking out new music as well as her classics.
Win Tickets to See Debbie at the Henry Fonda (and win her new CD):
As you know, Debbie fronted the classic group Blondie, so tell us who your favorite blonde is (next to Debbie, of course) in the comments below. One lucky winner, chosen at random will get a pair of tix to tomorrow's show and a copy of Necessary Evil. Deadline 5pm today.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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