It’s been awhile since I’ve had any new interviews on Yow Yow! In that time, a lot can change so I wanted to check up on some of my interviewees to see how they were doing. You can view my previous interview w/ her here.
In Cathy Nguyen news, she will be taking a break from performances and recording her YouTube videos for awhile because she was recently accepted into the radiologic technology program at Mt. Sac in Walnut, California. This has been a dream of hers for a very long time so I wish her nothing but the best!
Also, I’ve been receiving a few comments from you guys asking for her contact information. For the sake of her own privacy, I do not want to release any of her information online, but maybe you could try reaching her on her websites.
First off, I’d like to apologize for the lack of posts on Yow Yow! I know I’m letting down a certain friend that checks this site everyday as she checks her email. ;)
The other day I watched a trailer for the new season of The Hills, which I don’t care about at all. It just made me miss the original Laguna Beach. That was a great show. It was funny, witty, and introduced us to new “Laguna Beach” lingo including: dunzo, “I’m so over it,” stoked, amped and whorebag.
I like to convince myself that every season after the first was “acting.” That’s why season 1 was the best. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes and since I couldn’t find a trailer for Laguna Beach season 1, here is season 2. It’s still funny.
*****
Lo’s Mom: Lo it’s not a fashion show… Lo: Every day’s a fashion show mom.
*****
Stephen Coletti: You look real good, keep dancing on the bar SLUT!
*****
Kristin: Jessica, he’s cheating on you! Take it from someone who used to cheat on her boyfriend. Those are signs of him cheating!
*****
LC: How would you feel if I kissed my ex-boyfriend right in front of you?
[sarcastically] LC: But I was *sorry*.
*****
Lo: [to Talan] You just got a facial? Talan, why did you do that?
The lovely county of Orange has decided that when underage and overage teens play the game of beer pong, they become too rowdy. They are so rowdy that it has become a problem for the residents of Huntington Beach who strive to maintain their respectful and positive (non drinking?) image. uhh yeah right
When something like this happens, what does the city council decide to do? BAN BEER PONG! The official ban is as follows:
“The ban affects the downtown Huntington Beach community and puts a stop to all alcohol-based games played in restaurants or other businesses that must apply and a secure an entertainment permit.”
I thought Huntington Beach was known for partying? It’s a beach!
Also tidbit of the day, beer pong is also another name for “beirut.” I like that band.
The Coachella festival planners have officially decided to scrap all single-day tickets. This year attendees will only be allowed to purchase a three-day ticket pass for $269. Hello, do they not know that people can’t afford to attend a music festival all three days? Time is money, and money is not something we all have. Sometimes it is convenient for us to just choose one day that has all that we are looking for.
In light of the forceful three day pass – they have decided to cut the camping fees from $57 to $55. Oh damn a whole two dollars!
So what is the reason behind all of this? Festival architect Paul Tollet says, “The single- and two-day people are clogging up the hotels and making it so people who want to go for three days can’t find a hotel.”
Clearly this isn’t a good enough reason for everyone else. Fans of the festival are fuming and won’t let this sit quietly, but will all their noise make a difference in the end? Who knows?
Every time I come home for a weekend or for break, my OnDemand channel always let me catch up on older episodes of The OC. As I was watching two eps. from the second season today while eating breakfast, I started to wonder why The OC was so successful. I loved the show. Many people enjoyed it, but why was this show any different? Why is The OC more recognized than One Tree Hill or Smallville? These are the reasons I have come up with:
- The show was well liked by both males and females
- The show produced GREAT music. Indie rock at its best.
- You liked all of the main characters (Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer)
- Newport Harbor High was way better than your highschool ever was
- It introduced new vocabulary to your every day life like Christmakah, stealth, brooding, etc. We all know that you never used to say that until The OC came along!
- Death Cab For Cutie performed on an episode
- It brought to light a new kind of humor
- They always rotated new characters in to create more excitement, but when you got tired of them, their exit timing was appropriate.
- They dressed well!
- You always knew in the end the Summer and Seth would end up together and Ryan and Marissa …sort of
- The OC lasted four strong seasons – well maybe 3 cause Marissa died.
- Catchy theme song – Phantom Planet’s California
- The OC launched the careers of all of the actors and actresses
- The OC really stands for “THE Orange County,” making it sound 10x more epic
Currently, the price for one day ticket at Disney Land is $72. That’s…a whole lot of money that I definitely don’t want to spend. Maybe Disney Land is finally recognizing that people just don’t have that kind of paper to throw around anymore so they are offering a new deal for people.
Starting January 1st, 2010, when you sign up here to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you’ll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, FREE! We want to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service.
I met Cathy almost a year ago at my cousin’s wedding in California last December. She was one of the lead vocalists in the band performing and she blew us all away with her voice. A couple months after the wedding, my brother and I were reminicing about that night and wondered what the name of the band from that night was when we somehow stumbled upon Cathy’s YouTube page. Little did we know that she was basically a YouTube celebrity with her recordings of covers and even some of her original songs.
Q: Cathy, how old are you and where are you from?
Cathy Nguyen: I am 21 and I am from West Covina, California. Although, my family & I moved to Chino about 2 years ago, so that’s where I currently reside now.
Q: When did you first begin singing and was it just for fun or could you see this as a possible career?
C: I first started singing pretty much when I was able to talk. I remember my mom teaching me songs as I was growing up & that’s all I’ve been doing since. I never really considered on actually pursuing music as a career until my senior year of high school. I joined choir for the first time & absolutely loved it. I tried out for my first solo & since then, I must say, I’ve finally stepped out of my comfort zone & began performing more, whether it be at church or at a choir concert. But now, of course, weighing all the options, and looking pros & cons of pursuing music, I’ve decided not to go all the way. I’m really content with where I stand right now in regards to music.
Q: I love the covers you have done! In my opinion your version of Keri Hilson’s “Knock You Down,” is way better than the original. You have a million views on that video and 2 million views on your “I’m Yours” cover. That’s pretty impressive! Were you shocked when you realized that you were becoming YouTube’s next superstar? ;)
C: Haha! Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. You know, I never imagined ever being able to get that many views on these dorky videos that I post, so I definitely was shocked. I’m STILL shocked actually! I’ve been so blessed ever since all this YouTube madness. Opportunities to do what I love began to increase and now, I have an event to perform at nearly once a week! To think, I started off like everyone else, WATCHING videos of people singing & performing, looking up to these people & enjoying watching their love & passion for music. & clearly, with the support of my family & friends, & really just through word of mouth, here I am, living my dream! I mean, not as a “Youtube superstar” haha, but I mean, being able to meet & work with these wonderful & talented singer/songwriters that I’ve watched & was [& still am!], inspired by.
Q: What is your favorite song to cover?
C: I have fun with every song that I choose to cover, but if I had to choose, I’d have to say “Lucky,” by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat. I love performing that with AJ Rafael.
Q: Who were your influences growing up?
C: I grew up listening to the typical boy bands & pop singers such as *NSYNC or Christina Aguilera. Haha! I mean, who didn’t? I grew up enjoying listening & singing to their music. My influences now though, would include, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, Alicia Keys, & Taylor Swift. =]
Q: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
C: Ooh. That’s a tough question. I’d be so honored to collaborate with ANYONE actually!
Q: Are you doing some shows here and there or have you done any tours at all? If you do decide to do a tour, can I be your tour manager? Hahah
C: Yes, you can! =P Yeah, I’ve been performing here & there around California for the past year, ranging from birthday parties, to a benefit concert at a high school or university, to a coffee house or a church praise event. All my shows have been in California though. I’d love to do a tour & I’ve even gotten offers to perform outside of the state, but I’m currently unavailable to do that at the moment.
Q: What is a typical day for Cathy Nguyen?
C: My typical day usually consists of me sitting in front of my computer for hours checking updates & comments on all the social networking websites, responding to performance emails, & then end up being late to school or work, coming home from work/school & pretty much start doing the same thing all over again. haha! & definitely when I have the chance to, I hang out with my friends.
Q: Do you believe having your YouTube account, Twitter and Facebook Fan Page has helped you connect more with your fans or listeners?
C: Yes of course! All these social networking sites have allowed me to connect & talk to my supporters. I read them all and I try to respond back to everyone, but it does get overwhelming for me. I’ve been so blessed & I am so grateful for all the love & support I have. I really appreciate it!
Q: Some of your video covers have included your friends as well; do you see yourself being more as a soloist or with a band?
C: I love singing & performing with other people because I’m so self-conscious & I know that when I sing with other people, the attention isn’t all on me. But if I had to choose, I would probably see myself as being more of a soloist though, either that or with one other person. I don’t see myself in a band, although, that’d be pretty interesting!
Q: What are you listening to these days and who would you suggest my readers start listening to, besides you of course!
C: I used to listen to a lot of the artists on the radio, but honestly these days, I know so little of those outside music. I listen to more of my friends’ music than anyone else actually. I would for sure suggest anyone to listen to their music! AJ Rafael, Passion, Gabe Bondoc, Melissa Polinar & Jane Lui, are just a few of the people I’ve been inspired by. They are amazing, really. They really make you appreciate true music.
Q: Where can we expect to see you next Cathy?
C: Well, you can probably see me next on a YouTube video! haha. Other than that, I have a few shows lined up for the next couple of months. All that information will be updated soon on my Myspace music page.
Check out more of Cathy’s videos on her YouTube account page here
This image of California – specifically of the fires we have been hearing about – was taken from the “backward (northward)-viewing camera of the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA’s Terra satellite” just three days ago.
This fire is huge, and I never saw it while I was in California, but there is no question that it is doing a lot of damage. Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts.
Tonight at 8 PM, the new season of Greek premieres on ABC Family. What are you doing? Cause you should be watching.
I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite characters from the show, Kappa Tau brother, actor Derek Mio. I’m a huge fan of the show and actually just started watching this year, but got myself caught up through watching the first season on Hulu and hosting Greek viewing parties with Lucia at school. It was an intense battle for Lucia and I to search for a lounge and an open tv in my building just to catch the new episode.
Q: Derek Mio, where are you from and how did you get started in this business?
Derek Mio: I am from Huntington Beach, CA. I attended USC Film School and during the summer of my freshman year I interned at a commercial agency and they decided to send me out because I figure a) their Asian clientele at the time was pretty limited and b) I had spikey bleached tips. From then on I booked print jobs, then commercials, then TV guest star roles, then independent film roles, and here we are with you interviewing me because I’m on Greek.
Q: Have you wanted to be an actor your whole life or did these gigs just fall into your lap?
D: I can remember daydreaming about being an actor from a very early age as I sat in front of the TV watching Saved by the Bell, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jaws on TBS for the 37th time, or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Last Starfighter on VHS; throw Big Trouble in Little China in there too! Oh, and The Secret of My Success with Michael J. Fox! Anyways, I kind of had it in my head that I would eventually make it to being an actor and that probably influenced the cosmos to act in my favor. For real, do you remember those posters in elementary classes that would say “Believe it and Achieve it!”? Well, I guess I just applied that particular poster to my passion of acting. I’ve been acting now for close to 9 years so I can’t really say that “these gigs just fall into my lap” but I have been fortunate enough to see a progression of one gig leading to the next. We’ll see what happens…next!
Q: What is a typical day for Derek Mio?
D: I’ll get up around 9 or 10. Check my Gmail. Check my Twitter. Pour a bowl of cereal. Maybe run to the gym and work out for a bit. I like to edit videos so if I’m working on a project I will try to find a coffee shop and do that for a few hours. Ummm…other days I might go play a round of golf with my buddy Zack Lively from Greek, who btw I saw you had a dream about the other day?! I gotta tell him that one!
Q: You and the other Kappa Tau guys have a great relationship in front of the camera, are you guys bffls in real life as well?
D: I don’t think many people are “best friends for life” because that is a long time. A lot of times you will lose track with friends over the years either because you switch jobs, or you move, or you just lose touch because you get married and have a family and now your whole life is devoted to your wife and kids. I just think it’s a stretch to call any friend a bffl’er. But to answer your question, our relationship onscreen is pretty accurate to that of ours in real life. We don’t all hang out together a lot but when we do it’s like we’re back at the Kappa Tau house and we’re close as can be. I’ve been pretty fortunate to work such cool professionals.
Q: I was reading a previous tweet of yours the other day when you said, “Just wrapped my last scene/episode of Greek. Bittersweet for sure. Love that crew! Look out for @Day_One on NBC!” Explain yourself please. Say it isn’t so, I don’t want Wade to leave Greeknor do I want to see Greek end.
D: Well don’t turn to my Twitter page for your source of official news! I did land a role on a new NBC show called Day One which will air next year and that might conflict with Wade’s enrollment; hopefully not, but let’s just emotionally prepare for that now if it happens.
Q: The new season of Greek premieres Monday, what can we expect out of this season and out of Wade? A possible serious girlfriend?
D: You know Wade is up to the same tomfoolery and shenanigans but he’s older now…and a little wiser…by a semester. You’ll just have to tune in to see what I mean. Serious girlfriend? Pssh!! Wade doesn’t get down like that! Ask Casey, Ashleigh, and Rebecca!
Q: How much alike are you and your character Wade?
D: Wade dresses much better than I do. I’m a little more intelligent than Wade.
Q: What’s on rotation on your iPod right now?
D: I don’t really use my ipod as much as I should. I go on Pandora.com a lot. If you haven’t tried it you definitely should. It plays music similar to a song or artist of your choosing. But in my car’s cd changer I got Eminem’s Relapse, Doors-esque psychedelic rock band Black Angels, Hawaiian reggae band Katchafire, and L.A. based hip hop band DDL Roundhouse--definitely worth checking out!
Q: What’s new with Derek Mio and where will we be seeing you next?
D: What’s new with me? I just went deep sea fishing with my brother, cousins, Aunt, and Uncle and caught some yellowfin tuna. You will be seeing me on Greek, Monday nights at 9/8c on ABC Family and next year on Day One on NBC.
Q: Anything else you want to tell my readers?
D: If you watch Greek, thank you for supporting the show! If you don’t watch Greek…
Thank you so much Derek for the great interview :) Can’t wait to see you on this new season of Greek and your new show next year. Take care! Watch Greek every Monday at 8 PM on ABC Family
Unfortunately because I was out at the Street Scene Music Festival early this afternoon, I did not hear about DJ AM’s passing until Samantha had texted me about it and when it was reconfirmed during the moment of silence during Chromeo’s set. Like the boys of Chromeo said, DJ AM paved the way for dj’s all over and created a gateway. His presence will be missed, but his memories and his work will never be forgotten.
