News

Thomas Mars Talks Phoenix's Grammy Win

11:28 a.m. · February 3, 2010 · by Andrew Winistorfer

In case you didn't hear (and you might have, since the ratings were high), Phoenix won a Grammy on Sunday night for best alternative album. It's the first time in a while that an album that's actually decent won an award (seriously). Given that the Phoenix dudes have spent a lot of time on the outside of the typical Grammys set, it seemed natural that they would have some interesting stories about what happened when they were at the awards show on Sunday. And they totally do, as this Pitchfork interview with frontman Thomas Mars proves. Here's some nuggets:

Pitchfork: What was the best part about being at the ceremony?

TM: Sitting next to Slash. We talked a little-- nothing too deep. We were right by Alice Cooper, too. It really felt like being on a different planet. And then when the show started it really felt like I was on a different planet [laughs]. Pitchfork: What Was your favorite performance of the night?

TM: Well, my favorite Cirque du Soleil performance was Pink. It was just...yeah. People were scared she would fall. Someone behind me said, like, "Artists can do that?!" But otherwise, I don't know. I wish there were more bands that I like, like Dirty Projectors or MGMT. I remember seeing Beck on there when I was growing up and thinking how he was just a totally fresh thing. He was both a great songwriter and he would bring that element of spectacle to the Grammys.

Pitchfork: I always read that people get a lot of free crap at these award shows.

TM: They want to give you everything from perfume to underwear but I don't accept free things. You have to refuse it because, first of all, they are the ugliest things in the world [laughs], and you feel really like shit when you accept them. The only thing I said yes to was Pirate's Booty. It was delicious. [laughs]