How does anyone know whether or not a musician is a wanker unless they check if they’re nice to Nardwuar?
With news coming through late last year that beloved Canadian interviewer Nardwuar had suffered a stroke (don’t worry, he was discharged mid-December), it became apparent to us that some may not know the pleasure of Nardwuar’s encyclopedic knowledge of music and musicians, let alone seeing how the interviewee will respond to Nardwuar’s signature “Doot Doola Doot Doo”.
See below the Top 10 most memorable interviews conducted by our favourite human serviette. It can only improve your life in 2016.
Nardwuar vs N*E*R*D
Perhaps you watch this particular interview when you need cheering up too, such is the joy of watching Pharrell Williams react to the depth of Nardwuar’s research. Because of this interview, Pharrell hooked Nardwuar up with a Jay-Z interview which sadly was a little lackluster by comparison.
Nardwuar vs Aziz Ansari
A rare non-musician interview, Nardwuar’s first gift for Aziz is Donnie & Joe Emerson’s Dreamin Wild album, on which is track ‘Baby’. More recently Ariel Pink covered the song, though the original is a great track as Aziz attests.
Nardwuar vs Cut Copy
A rare treat to see an overseas interview of Australians with no mention of BBQs and dangerous Aussie Wildlife, Nardwuar shows his research chops once again, even bringing up the ongoing North vs South Side rivalry in Melbourne (A+ Nardwuar). For more Nardwuar with Australian musicians, check out his Tame Impala interview.
Nardwuar vs Nas
It’s always interesting to see how musicians are going to react to Nardwuar’s general appearance and personality, especially when matched with introverts like Nas. For most of the interview Nas happily obliges Nardwuar, even talking extensively about his Dad’s time as a Jazz musician.
Towards the end you almost think it’s going to end happily, until the moment when Nas asks if he can have the albums and merch that Nardwuar is showing for the conversation. “You’re becoming uncool now” Nas says before he ceases to oblige Nardwuar’s questions, making the ‘Doot Doola Doot Doo’ painful to watch.
Nardwuar vs Fleet Foxes
Although any interview with a band early on in their career is fun to re-watch, this one is particularly special because the drummer for Fleet Foxes was still Josh Tillman (a.k.a Father John Misty).
Watch as lead singer Robin Pecknold explains how he likes the stage to be as un-entertaining as possible and then realise why Tillman needed to go solo. It’s also nice to see the usually shy Pecknold outside his shell.
Nardwuar vs Snoop Dogg
Nardwuar has interviewed Snoop Dogg a total of 7 times so far, and though all are worth your time and attention, it is their fifth interview together that is particularly special. Nardwuar gifts Snoop a VHS tape of his Smokefest 1995 tour, a tape Snoop thought he would never find a copy of, having previously seen someone wanting to sell it on eBay for $40. “I’ll happily give you $1 for it” he tells Nardwuar after being told it only cost $0.50c for his gifted copy. What’s $40 to Snoop Dogg you ask? Well, now you know you really can’t rip off a pimp.
Nardwuar vs Rye Rye
Really any footage of Rye Rye talking or doing anything is great because of her genuinely infectious personality. So this one makes the list purely because there is not enough Rye Rye on YouTube, and certainly not enough in the 21 Jump Street film.
Nardwuar vs HAIM
Another favourite due to the sheer enthusiasm of the three sisters of HAIM who even dressed up for the occasion. Their interview will send you down an Elvis and Prince YouTube hole right after. No complaints here.
Nardwuar vs Butthole Surfers
The best Doot Doola Doot Doo of all time! Enough said.
Nardwuar vs Waka Flocka Flame
How good are Salt and Vinegar chips? Waka gets it. Ideally every interview would end with the interviewee inducting you into the Brick Squad. #2016Goals.
