How Does Nardwuar Get Information? Exploring the Methods Used by the Canadian Music Journalist

Introduction

Canadian music journalist Nardwuar the Human Serviette is known for his off-the-wall interviews with some of the biggest names in music. From Missy Elliott to Billie Eilish, Nardwuar is well-versed in a variety of musical genres and eras, and uses his encyclopedic knowledge to ask questions that no other interviewer would think of. But where does he get all this information? This article will explore the methods Nardwuar uses to get information for his interviews.

Interviewing Friends and Family of the Artist

One way Nardwuar gets information is by interviewing people close to the artist. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Nardwuar said: “I always talk to the family and friends first because they know the artist better than anyone else.” By talking to people who are close to the artist, Nardwuar can gain valuable insight into the life of the artist that may not be readily available elsewhere.

In one example, Nardwuar interviewed the mother of rapper Tyler, The Creator. During the interview, Tyler’s mom revealed details about her son’s childhood, including his love of skateboarding and his fondness for eating cereal for breakfast. This kind of personal information helps paint a fuller picture of the person behind the music, and gives viewers an intimate look at the artist’s life.

Researching the Artist’s Discography

Another way Nardwuar gets information is by researching the artist’s discography. Nardwuar often asks questions about specific lyrics or references within songs, so it’s important for him to have a thorough understanding of the artist’s work. As Nardwuar told Rolling Stone: “It’s important to read up on the artist and listen to their music. I want to make sure I’m asking them the right questions.”

By researching the artist’s discography, Nardwuar is able to understand the messages behind the music and ask questions related to these themes. For example, when interviewing rapper Vince Staples, Nardwuar asked him about a line from his song “Norf Norf” in which he raps, “Bitch, I’m from the bottom like a faucet.” Nardwuar was able to use this line as a starting point for a conversation about Vince’s upbringing in Long Beach, California.

Exploring the Artist’s Social Media Presence

In addition to researching the artist’s discography, Nardwuar also looks into the artist’s social media presence. By analyzing posts and comments on sites like Twitter and Instagram, Nardwuar can learn more about the artist’s interests and values. He can also look into the artist’s public persona and get an idea of how they interact with their fans.

For example, when interviewing singer Billie Eilish, Nardwuar asked her about her love of animals, which he had discovered through her Instagram account. This allowed Nardwuar to engage in a conversation with Billie that was more personal and meaningful than a typical question-and-answer session.

Examining Historical Context for the Artist’s Music

In addition to researching the artist’s discography and social media presence, Nardwuar also examines the historical context for the artist’s music. By investigating the time period in which the artist released their music, Nardwuar can gain a better understanding of the impact of the artist’s music on their audience. Nardwuar often uses this knowledge to ask questions about the artist’s influence on popular culture.

For example, when interviewing rap group Run the Jewels, Nardwuar asked them about the Black Lives Matter movement, which was gaining momentum around the time they released their album Run the Jewels 3. This allowed him to have a meaningful conversation with the group about race and politics in America.

Uncovering Rare Interviews with the Artist

In order to gain access to even more insider knowledge, Nardwuar also searches for rare interviews with the artist. By looking through audio databases and locating archived interviews, Nardwuar can find out more about the artist’s past and ask them questions related to topics they may have discussed in earlier interviews.

For example, when interviewing rapper Danny Brown, Nardwuar asked him about a line from a 2011 interview in which he said, “I don’t want to be famous, I just want to be respected as an artist.” This allowed Nardwuar to engage in a deeper conversation with Danny about his career and the challenges he has faced as an artist.

Investigating Unreleased or Unheard Content Related to the Artist

Another way Nardwuar gets information is by investigating unreleased or unheard content related to the artist. By connecting with record labels and producers, Nardwuar can access exclusive material such as B-sides, demos, and other rare recordings. This allows him to ask questions about songs that the artist may have never discussed before.

For example, when interviewing rapper Aesop Rock, Nardwuar asked him about a demo track called “Lullaby” that had never been released. This gave Aesop the opportunity to talk about the song and explain why it had never been released to the public.

Utilizing Music Industry Contacts to Get Insider Information

Finally, Nardwuar utilizes his extensive network of music industry contacts to get insider information. By building relationships with industry professionals, Nardwuar can gain access to exclusive knowledge that would otherwise be unavailable to the public. As Nardwuar told Rolling Stone: “I’ve worked in the music industry for a long time and have built up a lot of contacts. I can call them up and see if they know something I don’t.”

For example, while interviewing Canadian punk band Fucked Up, Nardwuar asked them about a song called “The Other Shoe” that had never been officially released. Nardwuar was able to find out about the song through a contact at the band’s record label, and was able to have a more in-depth conversation with the band about the song’s origins.

Conclusion

Nardwuar the Human Serviette is known for his unique and entertaining interviews with some of the biggest names in music. Through interviewing friends and family of the artist, researching the artist’s discography, exploring the artist’s social media presence, examining historical context for the artist’s music, uncovering rare interviews with the artist, investigating unreleased or unheard content related to the artist, and utilizing music industry contacts to get insider information, Nardwuar is able to gain access to information that other journalists may not have access to. By doing so, he is able to provide his viewers with a unique and insightful look into the lives of his guests.