Interview with John Linnell of They Might Be Giants

Isabel Severson interviews John Linnell of They Might Be Giants before the band's show in Iowa City, Iowa.

[@didgeboy287]

Wow, how privileged to be able to interview one of the Johns. I'd have a hard time not asking "Okay, what the heck were you talking in this song, this song, this other song, this entire album . . . "

[@timhall6413]

This is a sweet interview. It's rare to see Linnell on his own and he seems very relaxed and up for chat.

[@kyfifer]

I really enjoy watching the John's more recent interviews. They've written a lot of my favorite music and their most recent records are excellent. I'm surprised at how consistent their output is.

[@Paul-dw2cl]

and this was 8 years ago. they were making great music back then, and all through the past 8 years, which makes their consistent output even more impressive

[@GeoffreyGentryMusic]

Thanks for this interview! Flansy tends to do most of the talking, so it's nice to hear from Linnell.

[@MrSirMrSirMr]

I think you did a good job - he seemed very relaxed, and it came across as a pleasant chat rather than a full-on interview. A lot of interviewers like the sound of their own voice, but you let him speak, and asked him some good questions.

[@gooberwench]

Such a fascinating man! And a lovely interview! I phoned Dial A Song as teenager in the early 90s from New Zealand and my folks were not happy. Thank you for all the amazing music, John and John.

[@mercurypoisonin]

I think you did a great job, you can't listen to jealous people on youtube. It's really hard putting yourself out there like this, it was a really brave thing for you to do. There's always a first interview, and I think you did a great job being calm in an interview with someone who is very low key. Plus your glasses matched, which I think is important in any interview.

[@truebootsyes]

One of the best TMBG interviews I've ever seen- great job!

[@MisterAppleEsq]

He said he likes Iowa, but I thought Iowa was a witch.

[@TwiPrime]

I feel ya, Isabelle. I don't know if you specifically set out to interview him, or just one or the other John. Either way, you ended up with the somewhat intimidating one. :)

[@MagicTurtle643]

This is incredible! I think you did fine. But even if the interview didn't go the way you wanted, you should pat yourself on the back for getting the infamously elusive John to sit down with you :)

[@alpur214]

He seems so easy to talk to

[@TimSutton420]

I closed my eyes for a second and thought I was listening to James Woods.

[@BhaktaRhett]

I went to the Iowa City show with my Kids; we had a great time!!

[@patrickstaresina3902]

Great interview!

[@TheGreenAppleHome]

this was a great interview

[@letitbeknown8126]

Great interview!!!👍

[@MrLostkitty]

I'm feeling really green watching that girl sitting on the couch next to Linnell. She looks like she wants to prod him on the arm to make sure he is really there (that's what I would be doing).

[@ceciliakintopf8684]

Minute 16:40 he talks about having had a show in Minneapolis! My home!!! (Well, the twin cities.)

[@nicemrmustard]

great show!

[@polygawn]

such a sweet guy

[@polygawn]

yes i agree

[@schleichnaldo]

Thank you, I understood Dismissed but couldn't find a band with that name that he would possibly mention.

[@ElfDude2112]

You did fine. And I expect he'd rather talk to someone like you who is "real" (for lack of a better term) than with some snobby professional journalist or hip radio DJ.

[@jarzhinio]

Just to reassure you re that comment you posted 3 years ago on this video. It may comfort you to know I read your first comment and I automatically assumed you meant to type 'about' (I often this myself).

[@echopathy]

that was sweet

[@HeyHeyChey]

11:06 which one would you guys think it'd be? Is it a Join Us song?

[@izzyczzunow]

I'm sorry I didn't do very well. It was terrifying and I hadn't really listened to much of their recent music but I couldn't pass up an offer to interview him. Obviously I wasn't all that prepared or professional but I tried.

[@TheUkuleleTeacher]

Isabelle Severson are you kidding? This was a great interview!

[@peanutslilo49]

You did a great job! No need to apologise! This was a fantastic interview! :)

[@MisterAppleEsq]

Don't apologise! You were great!

[@letitbeknown8126]

Good job! You keep up the good work!!!👍

[@JasonBeam7]

I know this is an incredibly late response but I loved this interview and think you did an excellent job!

[@srgtfrog]

>dat captain hammer shirt that movie ended way sadder than I expected.

[@MisterAppleEsq]

But he got Everything He Ever.

[@TwiPrime]

Hiya, he mentions the Smiths. That's Morrissey's old band, in case you haven't heard or 'em before. :)

[@snakes7303]

Oh woah

[@marlasinger1089]

What year?

[@schleichnaldo]

What band is he talking about at 11:44 I can't really understand what he says there.

[@letitbeknown8126]

A band called The Smiths. Good band👍

[@thekickingninja]

Dial-a-song was the premice of streaming.

[@hippogriffgrrl10]

That girl is waaaaay too calm.

[@MrLostkitty]

14.15 I would vote Gloria as the craziest fan.

[@anthonythompson9741]

You know the crazy fans on a first name basis?

[@SugarSnapDragon]

[@Wampus]

haha "a regular adults album"

[@fuducker2]

captain hammer!!

[@izzyczzunow]

whoops

[@hippogriffgrrl10]

I would be doing the same thing. Well, actually, I'd probably be hyperventiallating and not be able to say anything at all...

[@dhltn8624]

30th

[@MagicTurtle643]

The Smiths. :P

[@amandaharris726]

X=a.

[@didgeboy287]

er, talking *about*

[@4211video]

You can see at 13:59 that John isn't necessarily comfortable being interviewed by someone that actually didn't understand why there would be three pages of an Asian last name in the Manhattan phone book.

[@lewisb9226]

Whatever, there's no excuse really. She should absolutely have gone into the interview knowing for sure that she wasn't going to make John uncomfortable with an imperfect understanding of phonebooks

[@simsimma9622]

She's probably never even seen a phonebook.

[@Billkwando]

Mmmmm girly.

[@ohmycaribou]

I assumed that he just mostly hated female fans but yeah

[@kenzie7174]

why would you think that? did he say something like that or🧍‍♀️

[@colourful_static5563]

​@@kenzie7174 they're wrong (and assuming misogyny like an idiot), but they're probably using the quinn collard stalking situation as a bar which is understandable. she's some tumblr freak who went as far as to fish linell's coffee out of the trash and drink his backwash. literal piece of shit

[@bugpiss]

this is so chill