We checked in with the incomparable Margaret Cho to see what’s new.
We checked in with the incomparable Margaret Cho to see what’s new. How about a music album laugh-inducing lyrics?
“I want to create a new genre of music that is hilarious but also seriously good, so I turned to some of my music heroes to help me out,” says Margaret Cho in reference to her forthcoming album Cho-Dependent. “I have wanted to make an album like this forever. I love comedy music!”
The lyrics on Cho Dependent, which tackle issues of sex, drugs, rock & roll – and lice, may be laugh-inducing, but Cho has made no compromises when it comes to the quality of the songwriting and production. After “My Puss,” a hilarious rap parody Cho recorded impromptu-style with friends, became a surprise YouTube hit, Cho began to integrate more comedy music into her live stand-up shows. With Cho Dependent, her first comedy music album, Cho got a chance to hone her craft with some of the top names in the business.
“There are so many amazing people I got to work with on this album,” Cho continues, “Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, Tegan and Sara, Andrew Bird, Ani DiFranco, Garrison Starr, Meghan Toohey, Brendan Benson, Rachael Yamagata, Carl Newman, Grant Lee Phillips, Patty Griffin, Ben Lee, Kevin Barnes — I still have to pinch myself!”
Conversely, the many collaborators on Cho Dependent seem to be equally excited about working with Cho. In a blog published on The Huffington Post, Australian indie-pop artist Ben Lee, said that working with her was “one of the most surprising and unexpected turns” in his career.
To support the release of the album, Cho will be heading out on the road with her guitar in hand for a major nationwide US tour, which will kick off on August 26 and run thru December 12. The Cho Dependent shows will be a special evening of brand new stand up comedy, mixed with a few live performances of Cho’s comedy songs. Most dates will go on sale June 11. Check www.margaretcho.com for further info and for special VIP ticket packages.
Cho will also be performing at Bonnaroo 2010 on June 10 & 11 alongside Conan O’Brien, Aziz Ansari and others as part of the music festival’s comedy lineup. Whilst there, Cho plans to shoot the video for “Baby, I’m With The Band” featuring The Raconteurs’ Brendan Benson, and has issued an open invitation to all musicians at Bonnaroo to participate.
The second season of Cho’s hit Lifetime TV series Drop Dead Diva debuted June 6. When the show debuted in July/Aug 2009, it was the highest rated first season of an original Lifetime series since Army Wives in 2007, and the new season promises even more out of this world fun.
Go Cho!