Garfunkel & Oates are Riki Lindhome and Kate Miccuci. On their own, they are both well respected actresses, musicians, and writers. Of course, when they work together, it’s pure magic. No matter who you are, somebody has posted one of their videos on your Facebook wall. They are bringing their live show to Rickshaw Stop on Saturday, February 10th to close out this year’s installment of Sketchfest. We had a few moments to talk to both Garfunkel and Oates. Since you weren’t there with me, I’ll let you read about it:
The last Garfunkel & Oates album, Slippery When Moist, was exclusively available as a digital download. What led you to decide to not press CD’s or LP’s?
We actually have hard copies of all of our cd’s available on our merch website. You can also get signed copies at our shows. Or if you live in LA, they are available at Amoeba records.
Have you gotten any complaints from listeners who are so accustomed to your “couch videos,” that they are upset to hear the fully produced versions on the records?
Not too many complaints, but we just think it’s fun to do things in the studio that we’re unable to do on stage. You can never have too much digital French horn or “Richard Marx” piano.
How did you end up performing with the king of all comedy music, “Weird Al” Yankovic? Did you learn why he insists on quotes around the “Al”, despite it being his real name?
We met Al backstage at a charity event where we were both performing. Al is such a nice guy and was so generous to perform with us. It was such a blast and a total dream come true. Not sure why he uses the quotation marks but we’re very sure that he has the best collection of Hawaiian shirts we’ve ever seen.
Will we ever get another episode of “Making It with Riki Lindhome”?
Yes, very soon. On hiatus now to record our new album but as soon as we finish, there will be more Making It on the way.
Do you know if Art Garfunkel or John Oates have any opinion of your band?
We haven’t heard from Art, but John Oates contacted us on Myspace when we were starting out, and we’ve developed a friendship. We opened for him in Agora Hills and if we’re ever in the same city, we try to hang out. Last time we were in Nashville he helped Riki buy a guitar. John is the coolest, sweetest guy and we’re thrilled that he likes what we do.
Do you feel that Garfunkel & Oates have helped make the ukulele more fashionable? Or has the widespread acceptance of the uke helped with Garfunkel & Oates’ popularity?
That seems like a chicken and egg type of thing and we’re not really sure. A lot of people have told Kate that they learned the ukulele because of her, which is really cool. But we are definitely in the midst of a ukulele boom.
In the song “Google,” you close with the line “To make sure you don’t have cats.” What’s your beef with men that have cats?
It sounds like you have a cat.
What does the future hold for Garfunkel & Oates?
We have a new album on the way, more touring and hopefully, our own TV show. Cross your fingers…
Since you officially released karaoke tracks for All Over Your Face, have you ever stumbled across somebody doing one of your songs at an actual karaoke bar?
No but that would be amazing. Riki loves karaoke and it would make her year if that happened. There’s nothing more flattering.
On both full length records, you have one ballad towards the end that is so melancholy that some people might actually tear up during listens. (Yeah, it’s happened to me) Would you ever consider an “all serious” album?
That’s so nice of you to say. We don’t think we’d ever do an all serious album, but, as Justin Bieber says, never say never. It is good to know that people like those songs as well and not just the ones with dick jokes.
