How They Might Be Giants influenced art-rapper Open Mike Eagle

Open Mike Eagle on the art-rock band of his childhood, They Might Be Giants
His new album Hella Personal Film Festival is out now via Mello Music Group: www.mellomusicgroup.com/
Video By: Estelle Caswell
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[@EmmettMcMullan]

I wanna hug Open Mike Eagle. He looks like a hugger.

[@yoya.]

He probably is.

[@Tmathh]

nah hes definitely not a hugger hes intervened eyes seems deep and inside emotinoal. dont think hes a hugger.

[@TheSrcdude]

Yo, I just got back from seeing him live in Minneapolis. after the show was over he said he was out of merch, but he said he had free sweaty hugs for anyone that wanted them. anyway I remembered this comment and I wanted to let you know that he is in fact, a hugger.

[@Tmathh]

i stand corrected

[@yoya.]

Tmathh yeah, I just asked him. He loves hugs.

[@anthonygalang4120]

There should be a different Vox segment just for you doing HipHop.

[@aphr0d]

Yes! I'd watch it 24/7

[@bryceterry5302]

Vox + Genius

[@yocampout]

ikr. they have been killing it lately

[@lordperzeval2977]

bump this

[@moneymusa5607]

yes plaaaazz

[@jacksmart2565]

I love Voxs graphic design in their videos

[@foxfire1345]

Yeah, all of that plus the content of their channel, perfection.

[@MrThebradon2001]

+Rub198 bars

[@Bati_]

Rub198 Wise words man! peace

[@tokyogoon]

mike is heavily slept on

[@TheLutefiskGOD]

sooo tru

[@kozhikkaalan]

does that he mean he has a lot of sex?

[@damoos3.]

kozhikkaalan no it means hes not recognized for his work as in the mainstream public is asleep to his music.

[@ancomfin4270]

Interestingly, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett both love They Might Be Giants, and I believe both also have a love for the song Where Your Eyes Don't Go, which Pratchett considered the scariest song he'd ever heard

[@THB192]

Notably, Foul Ole Ron's catchphrase, "Millenium Hand and Shrimp" was generated by a random phrase generator that had been fed a Chinese menu and the lyrics to Particle Man.

[@KFCJones]

"TMBG is a weird art rock band." Thanks for the clarification, school secretary from Ferris Bueller.

[@mystical5868]

Was she wrong?

[@giri.goyo_yt]

Thanks for that gut laff KFCJones!

[@polygawn]

@@mystical5868she didn’t have to say they were “weird,” she could’ve just said they were an art rock band. Because that’s what they are. An art rock band

[@FerRguez94]

*Yes..No.. Maybe.., I don't know..Can you repeat the question?* They Might Be Giants! I'll always remember this group for that!

[@thesecondacrobat9151]

So much memories!

[@FerRguez94]

yeahh

[@moneymusa5607]

whaaaaaaa

[@ryanporterhouse]

YOURE NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW

[@StringedGuitar17]

@@ryanporterhouseAND YOU’RE NOT SO BIG

[@Eebers]

Man, I'll talk about TMBG all day with you mike!

[@flyingdics1]

I wrote a paper on the lyrics of "Where Your Eyes Don't Go" in high school, and it's great to be reminded of just how weird and great that song is. I'll definitely be checking out this dude's music in more depth.

[@thomasnaughton9252]

omg i also wrote a paper about a they might be giants songs lyrics when i was in highschool. I chose "Lady and The tiger". Small world

[@flyingdics1]

@@thomasnaughton9252 They're pretty rich for analytical content!

[@theraider222]

He also co hosts a podcast about Adventure Time. It's called conversation perade and it's good stuff.

[@NC-xz5cg]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing that. I'll have to check it out.

[@kozhikkaalan]

omggg!!! is he the epitome of perfection or what?? thanks for the info man!!!

[@natefrusher6741]

It’s so funny I found open mike through the adventure time podcast, one of my favorite rappers of all time

[@Treyworld]

Particularly for me, the lyrics from 'They'll Need a Crane' really hits close to home.

[@dhaddine5472]

“Can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding” This line from TMBG just resonates on so many levels. Not just in the song it comes from, but in business, politics, ... just ethics and life in general. TMBG is a band that can be childish and silly, yet extremely deep and philosophical ... sometimes in the same song.

[@001variation]

To me, it's basically: you can't cross the line morally and come back from it like it never happened

[@alondotan239]

Mike is such an amazing lyricist. And it isn't hard noticing influences in his music that have nothing to do with hip hop music. Hope this video will get him some extra recognition, which he definitely deserves

[@anthuanleyva]

Hey...hey...They Might Be Giants are not weird. They are just a little bit special.

[@RockSolidKaraoke]

They Might Be Giants hate being described as "weird" by music journalists because it's the journalists job to describe the band and using the word "weird" is lazy. Writers have been using that word for Their whole career. Please do your job, listen to their music and then describe Them in more articulate terms. Their music deserves it. They're an absolute legendary Grammy award winning Platinum power-pop rock band.

[@shupengwen8489]

when can we get the whole interview????

[@raedsewani7817]

For Real!!!

[@joebazooks]

i wonder if they'll respond

[@kf_isher1149]

I appreciate your comment, *Sven*.

[@phantomr277]

I love how Vox i showing the meaningful side of rap :) Please keep it up you guys! I'm tired of people saying rap is just drugs and sex -_-

[@aphr0d]

To be fair we can say all genres are about drugs and sex. Except maybe children's music haha.

[@phantomr277]

+War On drUgs Actually, you are correct. However, people do use this as an example to say 'what happend to music?' When nothing has changed at all

[@nolanknows1401]

Phantom R how virtuous of you defending hip hop. I bet it makes you feel very noble and righteous... good for you!

[@mrq.1236]

Rap isn't just about drugs and sex, but to be fair they do have a significant role in the Hip-Hop culture. Nearly every rapper I know has rapped about drugs and sex at one point, either positively or negatively.

[@StreetHierarchy]

even when it is "about sex and drugs," the sex and drugs often isnt the true meaning, merely the content. and sometimes the sex and drugs and violence are simply metaphor. but also, those are some of the most dramatic things in life, especially when you don't have a lot of moneyyy.

[@Ivan_p24]

Hi Vox! I really enjoyed the video "Rapping, deconstructed" and this video too. But if you can do another video about rap like the last one, it would be really cool. Greetings from Argentina! and great video btw,

[@Mrbenfixit]

Please do more videos that cover independent/underground hip-hop rappers like Immortal Technique, Akala, etc. We need to make hip hop great again.

[@petitnicollas]

Dance with the devil alone deserves an entire video. One of the few songs that I heard in my entire life that shocks me every time I listen to it.

[@kebm1388]

Dear God I love listening to other TMBG fans gush over TMBG. Especially when Where your Eyes Don't Go is one of my favorite songs of theirs for the exact same reasons.

[@celvsmachine]

I'm the only bee in your bonnet

[@licensedblockhead]

awe hell yeah

[@ZoeAlexa11]

Make a little birdhouse in your soul

[@LukeHennisch]

And while your at it keep the nightlight on inside the Birdhouse In Your Soul...

[@ErikGiovani]

Dope video!! Keep doing this hip hop stuff

[@Vempsterful]

He needs to work with Clams Casino.

[@breth8159]

I'ma Particle Man man myself !

[@ChrisMcSweeney]

Birdhouse in your Soul is a f*cking tune.

[@WiiAreMarshall]

TMBG, and Open Mike Eagle are both WAY up my alley. I'd watch him talk about the Johns for hours.

[@Danielevans2]

I thought he was wearing a vox shirt at first 😛

[@adityakhanna113]

I too thought that :p

[@wii3willRule]

Stuff like this is why I'm a subscriber

[@funnyusername8635]

Man, talking about TMBG all day with someone who won't tell me to stop after 10 minutes sounds so great. I have trivia and history to share. Please!

[@PatrickBoberg]

so glad you shared open Mike. his stuff is unreal

[@jeffreyharte]

So awesome to learn about an artist who's been so inspired by one of my favorite artists, TMBG. I will be checking out Open Mike Eagle now. :-)

[@halincandenza7640]

Dive Bar Support Group has been one of my favorites lately. Thanks for this video and thanks for the music

[@Jrhovet]

If you want more They Might Be Giants, I recommend these four songs: Spiraling Shape Ana Ng The End of the Tour Doctor Worm

[@erickcartman8758]

Self Called Nowhere Til My Heads Fall Off

[@lordoflame212]

Learning some of my favorite artists from different genre’s inspire and influence each other brings me such a profound joy. It makes me feel like I’m on the right track, listening to the right tracks.

[@reinaldomartinez13]

we want more videos like this vox, keep up the good work

[@christophertakashima2602]

This is fantastic! I saw TMBG a couple years ago and met the band.

[@theonlygoggin]

Seriously, I haven't listened open mike eagle since watching this but I've been bingeing on they might be giants for the last two weeks

[@NerdyDZN]

Vox I subscribed as soon as your video about best rhymers popped up in my suggested videos. Loved this one as well. Please make more hip hop videos I love these thank you

[@mobius273]

Can somebody just let open mike eagle talk about tmbg for a couple hours and tape it

[@jjthepikazard212]

My main example of what they're talking about TMBG is the song Twisting. Because it sounds really happy, but it's about someone who wants you to hang

[@erickcartman8758]

JJ The Pikazard don’t forget she set your goldfish free......blew out your pilot light and made a wish She doesn’t have to have her young fresh fellows tape back But there’s not a lot of things that she’d take back She wants to see you again She wants to see you again Twisting, twisting in the wind

[@invernozzz639]

Thanks for the recommendation, I didn't know about open mike eagle, and now im seriously in love.

[@RogerMillerInVA]

Thank you so much for putting these dots together!

[@XxGODSBFFxX]

Loving these analysis videos on Rap, would love some more!

[@Noah-rk4gs]

I've been listening to Open Mike Eagle for 3 years now. I found him from another member of the art rap community, Milo, or "Scallops Hotel". I grew up watching the might be giants music videos for the Alphabet and I used to have a DVD with all the songs on it. I never knew the connection those two polar opposite genres have.

[@letitswissarmy]

damn, grew up on their kids albums, checked em out from my local library

[@justk5619]

Insert Malcolm in the middle reference

[@Zelinc]

Dive bar support group is one of my favorite tracks off his last album. So good

[@ClydeLeeM]

It's very fitting, they're my favorite lyrical writers of any musicians for the interesting narratives they craft out utilizing strange perspective or unreliable narrator themes.

[@Pwccalol]

are you going to speak about Nujabes sometimes?

[@xavierseventeen1110]

That would be amazing, but sadly he passed in 2010...

[@FireForShiroHana]

+Xavier Seventeen speaking about not to

[@TokenBlackman7]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!

[@kf_isher1149]

*PLEASE* *PLEASE* *PLEASE* *PLEASE* *PLEASE* *PLEASE* *PLEASE* *PLEASE*

[@kineticsbc6067]

GOD YES

[@kurei0.]

Great work Vox! love your content!

[@beefsupreme64]

Love the intelligent hip-hop videos. Definately going to check Mike out now.

[@ZoeAlexa11]

This makes me so happy. A rapper liking nerd rock is unheard of! I love They Might Be Giants

[@MrPhish21]

milo/scallops hotel, open mike eagle, watsky, theyre all getting overlooked. each one of them deserve a spot talking on vox about their style, glad open mike eagle got his

[@A2Z83]

i love tmbg and randomly came across him and enjoyed his performance right away

[@user-ez1me7kf1e]

I love tmbg also- one of a kind band.

[@sudevsen]

these rap videos are sick

[@PogieJoe]

Damn! I'll have to check out Open Mike Eagle now!

[@mnaftw]

Vox is my rap fairy godmother, always bringing me amazing artists to check out and highlighting everything I love about rap :)

[@LTJZamboni]

They Might Be Giants is my favorite band. I might have to start listening to Open Mike Eagle now.

[@dannyshajenkins3109]

So cool, I went to college with him!!! ❤️👏🏾

[@terrakie]

I literally got chills

[@primoaurelius]

Open Mike eagle, and they might be giants are both amazing. Super cool that he's into them

[@rodenrren2]

More hip hop vox please, these videos are the best

[@lefthandderivative]

i absolutely love listening to other people talk about their love for tmbg

[@Tmathh]

"Art" rap is kind of a dumb term...its all art..hes just lyrical and different

[@jOoomOooo]

tru

[@cyoung7127]

not really when you consider it parallels art-rock or art-pop

[@MintyFreshYT]

This was a great video, just a tad short. I love they might be giants, also.

[@sgwagman]

This brings back my childhood they might be giants was awesome.

[@MegaJayboy17]

why does he look like a black channing tatum?

[@aphr0d]

LOL

[@idontknowwhatmyusernamesho5540]

Truee

[@MrKarim992]

i'm a big fan of his and you've just made me see this, and i can't stop seeing it

[@juvedoo99]

Separated at birth... Or, bizzaro world...

[@YourBuddyDidi]

Yes!!!

[@determine14]

can soeone explain to me the verse he s quoting with the scarecrow. didnt understand what was going on

[@HectorBadillaOfficial]

Where Your Eyes Don't Go - off the album Lincoln

[@furripupau]

"Every jumbled pile of person has a thinking part that wonders what the part that isn't thinking isn't thinking of Should you worry when the skullhead is in front of you, Or is it worse because it's always waiting Where your eyes don't go?" It's about subconscious thoughts.

[@chaosinorderrr]

Vox is doing a better job at deconstructing hip-hop lyrics than the Genius channel. Props!

[@Dan1elAndrade]

I loved the ad :) What ad did you see before the video?

[@seansolo7143]

First time I've ever felt flattered for a band. TMBG should be "awe shucks" blushing for a month.

[@Dathaloboii]

what is it gonna take for vox to give you your own segment. I love listening to you talk about rap

[@austiniscoolduh]

I LOOOOOVE TMBG

[@thekaerichtexas]

yay, i love mike.

[@LukeHennisch]

yay, i love TMBG

[@recordcollector0665]

@@LukeHennisch yay, they’re both good

[@TrackFourtyFour]

can someone link me to that twitter thread where mike listed his top tmbg albums, or wherever he posted that list.

[@yocampout]

there's so much cr*p on the radio, I'm glad videos like this illuminate the true art of rap and hip hop. when the lyrics, cadence, beat, instrumentation and flavor are all in sync, it's amazing.

[@TheActualCathal]

I wish this more of Mike talking about the band.

[@MatthiasPlays]

Goodness I love both of them

[@socko2.065]

It's always great to see a giant head who's in the music industry

[@jdavids1332]

Listen to alkala fire in the booth. If you like this guy you'll like alkal

[@Postcinct]

akala is underrated as hell

[@bilalha123]

Akala and lowkey are better than any American rappers at the moment, and I listen to a lot of underground hip hop. They're better than immortal technique, mf doom, vinnie paz, ra the rugged man, tech n9ne etc. They're on the same level as nas and rakim in my opinion. Most people will read my comment and think I'm exaggerating but I'm really not.

[@PhilthCollinz]

bilalha123 Uhhh yeah hes really not, mans not hot

[@ysn1077]

hey guys, can someone plz help me find the name of the song at 00:24 sec? thanks a lot :)

[@TheLutefiskGOD]

these rap videos are great. A lot of slept on rappers here.

[@BrandonVezaYT]

I love Vox!

[@Holobrine]

I love that band too!

[@larahill82]

oh my god i love this

[@boosiv]

Thank you for not censoring the video, but why would you censor the subtitles?

[@ph0u503f]

I love Open Mike Eagle, and especially love Dive Bar Support Group. The first time I heard that song, I listened to it on an almost constant loop for like 4 or 5 days until eventually my girlfriend even started noticing how much I'd play it in the shower or while making food. The track from Dark Comedy with Hannibal Buress on is also gold. Might go give Dive Bar a run through now...

[@aiden359]

Open mike eagle has the best melodies. His hooks are so damn catchy and real.

[@lemon5730]

My favorite band. Don't blame him.

[@darthdj31]

They might be giants is awesome. I haven't listened to much eagle but I think I'll more now

[@dannylopez9905]

They might be giants reminds me of the band called The Residents, except way less weird.

[@40paschal]

James ferraro reminds me of a modern day the residents, just way more weird

[@brandonvu5429]

The Residents kick ass.

[@MJCuber]

if the title was How "They Might Be Giants" influenced art-rapper Open Mike Eagle it would be soooo much easier to understand.

[@cavv0667]

Good video... nice artist!

[@WilkineBrutus]

Brilliant!

[@petitnicollas]

I always fought that "Birdhouse in your soul" was creepy as hell, it evokes a weird feeling to me like a dystopian society or a cult where everybody seems to be happy but they are just being manipulated by a stronger force.

[@001variation]

Listen to the lyrics on "The Bells Are Ringing", it's exactly what you described

[@anextlomara5981]

I’m confused about how the punchline style works, could you do a video about it and how it works?

[@firemarshall2827]

No playlist?

[@Sean8033]

her voice aaaaa

[@RJMBeatz]

Nice video dude