GIGANTIC (A TALE OF TWO JOHNS)

I have to admit, I did not pursue the interview we landed with John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants. Vinnie Baggadonuts had a connection down at a film company, and he set it up for me. Now, if you've read the interview with Flans you know that it is probably one of the most, if not the most fun interview we've ever done. But, to be honest, I knew very little about They Might Be Giants before we contacted them. I mean, I knew the music, for sure, but not much about the Johns as people.
The interview was originally supposed to be between John and me over the phone. He emailed me and asked how I wanted to handle the interview. I explained to him that we could do it through email, but that I prefered to do it over the phone. I told him to check out the site and call me if he had any questions. He called ten minutes later.
Everything was set. We would do the interview the next day over the phone. He would be in Philadelphia for a book signing, but he'd call me once he got a free moment. The day went on and I continued to work, ready with the tape recorder every time the phone rang. But he didn't call. This happens a lot with interviews. People are busy. I'm busy. Shit takes precedence. No big deal, and nothing out of the ordinary. I emailed him and just said to let me know what worked best for him.
The next day I woke up to an email from John: "Hey, Wayne. Had insomnia last night. If this isn't funny, don't run it, and we'll do it another way." And what followed was the interview. Now, for those of you that haven't read the interview yet, he took the most read story on our site-- our interview with actor Shia LaBeouf-- took out all of Shia's answers, and placed his own answers in place of them. He created an interview that never even took place.
I have to admit, I thought it was absolutely genius. I quickly called up people from the paper, one by one. "You're never going to guess what Flansburgh did for his interview!" I was thoroughly impressed.
And that's how it came to be that my interview with John Flansburgh is my favorite interview I never did.
Now, I know this is supposed to be a review of their DVD documentary, Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns), directed by AJ Schnack. And it is a review. Really. See, these two Johns (Flansburgh and Linnell) are creative geniuses. Their music, videos, thought process, style, opinions,.. all of it is something to experience. Something to embrace, take in, think about, and learn from. And the documentary captures it beautifully.
I watched it with Night Watchman, who probably said it best: "You know it must be good when you watch the whole thing, and you're not even really familiar with They Might Be Giants."
And he's right. Gigantic is a beautiful romp through the minds of two guys from Lincoln, Massachusetts, who went on to cult status and greatness in the music industry.
So, usually with a DVD like this I'd say, "If you're a fan of TMBG, you'll love it." But, fact is, if you're a fan of artistic expression, creative minds working together, motivation, or musical experimentation, this film is a great motivator and inspirator.
Check it out now, because people like TMBG don't come along every day.
DIG IT HERE.
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