Ask A Rocker: Olivia Mancini and Sunday's Music for Myanmar Benefit
Olivia Mancini sure looks like a rockstar. Photo by Chris Chen, from BrightestYoungThings.
Don't beat yourself up for missing last night's Burma Benefit, because you can make up for it this Sunday! Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting Music for Myanmar, seven hours of rock, art, "sport celebrities and autograph signing," which sounds awkward, and "authentic Burmese food," which rules.
One of my favorite local bands, Olivia and the Housemates, is playing the benefit, and Ms. Mancini herself was kind enough to figuratively stop by TNG.
The New Gay Jenny Miller: Welcome to our humble digs. Is this your first time at The New Gay?
Olivia Mancini: Yes, I am a first timer.
TNG: What got you guys interested in doing a benefit for Burma?
OM: The Housemates are always up for a benefit. That's one of the best opportunities being a musician has to offer, in my opinion. You play, the money goes to a worthy cause. Everyone wins!
But in respect to Burma, my God. When we were asked to do this one, obviously it was a no brainer. So many, many people were affected by this that everybody's efforts are really needed.
TNG: I know, it's scary. I just read that there are two million homeless already, and another cyclone's on the way. And the fucking junta's blocking aid and/or stealing it.
OM: Presumably both, unfortunately for the poor people under its auspices.
TNG: Aside from playing worthy benefit shows, what are you doing with your spare time these days?
OM: Spare time, I love spare time. During this kind of time, I write songs, go for bike rides, warm up veggie burgers on my charcoal grill, drink beer at local dives. In non-spare-but-still-pleasant-time, I teach guitar lessons as well as an online class on music history.
TNG: Really? That seems like a cool gig. Is it? Are people intimidated taking guitar lessons from a rockstar?
OM: Yes, it is a really cool gig. In fact, I work at a place called GIGS. Most of the students I have are kids, so the awareness factor about anything, let alone a guitar teacher, is low. But the idea is to have fun, both for me and the student. We learn songs they want to learn, and that challenges me. (Never knew I could be a Hannah Montana/Against Me!/My Chemical Romance fan.) And when they don't know what they want to learn, we learn what I want to learn. I did a Bright Eyes song the other day. Then some R. Kelly. A little Steve Miller. Equally arbitrary, I'm sure.
TNG: It's always good to hear that fun and fulfilling jobs exist. Ok, let's plug your band! I loved This Kind of Life, and I read on dcist that you guys are working on another album. Is it going to be even better? Is it still going to be fun and poppy, or are you going more in My Chemical Romance/R. Kelly/Bright Eyes direction?
OM: We just have nearly finished some tracks up at a studio in New York. I'm not sure what we'll do with them — maybe an EP is in order. At the moment, we're still solidly in pop sensation territory. The darkness will have to continue to wait for its moment.
TNG: Once at Solly's I witnessed your bandmate Kristin Forbes break into a dance routine to "Rapper's Delight," which she completed in its entirety, for a handful of random patrons. I wondered, was that an admirable display of her lack of self-consciousness, or does she just have to DANCE?
OM: Kristin Forbes, cannot, should not, be stopped. The music is definitely in her.
TNG: Thanks for your time, Olivia Mancini. We will see you at the show. Parting thoughts?
OM: Parting thoughts are of the moment — what the hell is happening with Fort Reno? I leave town for two days and then I get all these DC alerts about how they have closed the park until further notice...
TNG: I know. Oh, I have one more question. Are you really not "The Jealous Type?"
OM: No, I am a little bit.
Music For Myanmar Cyclone Benefit Concert
Sunday, May 18th At The Rock and Roll Hotel
$15 and 100% of the proceeds go to American Red Cross International to help the victims and the survivors. Tickets are available in advance online at www.rockandrollhoteldc.com, or by calling 202 388 ROCK, or at the door. More information.
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