2. What type of college class would you’d most want to take and why?
A graphic design class so I could make my own posters and t-shirt designs for the band.

3. What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
NYC! Every time we play there we sell out..people go crazy and then after the show we go out till dawn! Never a dull moment and always something to do. 2nd place: Ashville, North Carolina. One of the coolest towns.. beautiful city, cool people and great coffee set atop the Blue Ridge mountains.

4. What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
Enjoy the ride. Sometimes you are on the road working your butt off trying to make it and it’s the journey that is the deal not the end result so you better enjoy it.

5. What’s in heavy rotation in your MP3/CD player right now?
Deer Hunter, Major Lazer

6. The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to?
I love the tv show Breaking Bad, so dark and twisted but you’re also laughing the whole time.

7. What’s the first concert you ever saw – how was it?
U2 “pop” tour..ridiculously over the top but amazing.

8. What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
Clean underwear, special singer’s tea and my laptop

9. Who are your major musical influences?
All over the place, Otis Redding to Radiohead and everything in between.

10. Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
Red Bull and Oreos don’t mix well so beware!!!
 
And now here’s Fitz and The Tantrums performing live with Daryl Hall at his upstate New York farmhouse:
 

Titus Andronicus

Pitchfork Music Festival is always one of my favorite weekends of the year and it’s the place to be if you’re into indie rock. Over 45,000 music fans attended the Chicago festival which featured performances from hugely successful artists like Modest Mouse, Big Boi, and LCD Soundsystem, upcoming acts like Local Natives, Sleigh Bells and Free Energy, plus a headlining spot by reunited indie rock gods, Pavement. The bands endured scorching 90+ degree heat to play for the sold-out crowd and there was plenty of fantastic performances.

Friday was dominated by Swedish electro-pop artist, Robyn who wouldn’t have been high on my list of anticipated acts going into the weekend yet absolutely blew me (and judging by crowd reaction, everyone else at Union Park) away with her spectacular performance. She took the stage in her cut-out grey mini-skirt and over-sized leather shoulder pads and commenced the non-stop dance party with her single “Fembot”. Robyn bombarded the crowd with big synths and even bigger hooks all while putting on a vigorous dance clinic that dwarfed any attempts I’ve seen from most mainstream pop artists. I may have started the day as a Robyn newcomer but I left a full-fledged enthusiast.

The best set I saw on Saturday was from New Jersey bar-rock band Titus Andronicus who put on a face-melting, life affirming performance that was perhaps the most talked about set of the weekend. When lead singer / guitarist Patrick Stickles wasn’t diving head-first into the crowd to scream out the anthemic choruses while the crowd fist-pumped in unison, he was delivering sharp quips. He mused to crowd about the post-modernism of society while observing his face on one of the jumbotrons before telling us “he’s sweating like a pregnant nun meeting the pope”. Basically he’s the awesomest of dudes.

Hip hop troupe Major Lazer wasn’t my favorite music from Sunday (that honor would probably go to Local Natives who absolutely killed it) but as far as visual stimuli go I don’t they could possibly be topped. DJ / producer Diplo brought out an assortment of performers including men in dragon costumes, booty-shaking girls, sexy ballerinas, and Skerrit Bwoy who is possibly the most ridiculously insane hype man I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if some of the stuff he was doing on stage is safe to print but let’s just say he taught the whole crowd what daggering is, frequently sprayed the crowd with Champagne, and at one point let one of the dancer girls climb a ladder and body slam him all while yelling to the audience “Are you entertained?” (to which the obvious answer was “Hell yes!”).

Altogether it was a phenomenal weekend and I can’t wait to see what Pitchfork has in store for next year. I’ve selected some of my favorite pictures I took from the festival which you can see in the slideshow below and you can read some more coverage of the event at my blog, Music For Ants. Enjoy!

After being included on the soundtrack of one of the summer’s most successful hit movies (500) Days of Summer, The Temper Trap continues to find success with their debut album Conditions. Having already caused quite a stir on the Australian music scene, the group uses the combination of lofty imagery and soothing tones to provide their enchanting songs. They play hit single “Sweet Disposition” for Ahead of the Curve.

Fanfarlo

Based in London and lead by frontman Simon Balthazar, Fanfarlo started off by self-releasing their debut album Resevoir. It grew to be so popular that it was later reissued on Canvasback Music/Atlantic Records in October 2009. The multi-instrumental five piece are named after a Baudelaire novel and are currently touring Europe, but they took time out to play “Harold T. Wilkins” for Ahead of the Curve.

Suckers

With their debut full-length, Wild Smile, set to be released on Frenchkiss Records June 8th, Suckers will launch a national tour, accompanying fellow indie band Local Natives on the road. Having already shared the stage with the likes of Yeasayer, MGMT, Bear In Heaven, Chairlift and Real Estate, Suckers are definitely one of the upcoming bands to watch in 2010.

Washed Out

Musician Ernest Greene was simply making music in his bedroom and posting it to MySpace, but it wasn’t long before the blogosphere caught on. Under the moniker Washed Out, he released the EP Life of Leisure on label Mexican Summer. Currently on the road with indie-duo Beach House, Washed Out will join Small Black on tour later this spring and plays “Hole” for mtvU’s Ahead of the Curve.

Audra Mae

Singer Audra Mae became known for her timeless voice within the L.A. club scene and eventually signed to Side One Dummy Records when they offered her artistic freedom. Her debut album The Happiest Lamb is set to be released on May 18th and she sings the title track for Ahead of the Curve.

Diplo & Maluca

From the release of Florida in 2004 to his co-collaboration with Switch last year as Major Lazer, Thomas Wesley Pentz has now been influencing a variety of musical genres for years. Known better as Diplo, the DJ has worked with artists such as M.I.A., Santigold, Snoop Dogg, Radiohead, and Robyn to name a few. For mtvU’s Ahead of the Curve, New York artist Maluca joins him on “El Tigeraso.”

Watch She & Him, Miike Snow, J. Cole & more here.

Watch Surfer Blood, Best Coast, Curren$y, Broken Social Scene & Local Natives here

Watch Marina & The Diamonds, Mayer Hawthorne,The Middle East and Mike Posner here

Watch Chiddy Bang, Dominique Young Unique, The Antlers, Theophilus London, and The Drums here.