Carrie Benton
Benton is an improviser with The Torch Theatre and invites you to the Skewed News
Hour, Friday nights at 7 p.m. at The Torch Theatre. She also performs with Chaos Comedy at Dearing Acting Studio at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday's.
When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? It's usually XM Radio 1st Wave, home of the legendary Richard Blade. No one can play Oingo Boingo B-sides like that guy.
What's the first album you bought? Substance, by New Order. What's the first concert you saw? Janet Jackson -- the dancing was incredible.
What's your favorite concert you've ever been to? I saw Kraftwerk in 2005-ish at the Hollywood Bowl -- it was surreal.
What's the last song played on your music player? "Oh!" by Sleater-Kinney from the One Beat album -- great work-out song. The all-girl band includes Carrie Brownstein from my favorite show, Portlandia.
Preferred format: CD, vinyl, cassette, 8-Track or digital? Vinyl is preferred, but as busy as I am, it's usually my phone. Cassettes are very good for making things.
What's your favorite album? That's a very hard question -- that actually changes a lot depending on what I'm doing or what kind of mood I'm in. I have to say I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the soundtrack to Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Republic by New Order. Lately I've been listening a lot to The Only Place album, by Best Coast and Santigold's Disparate Youth album.
Who is your favorite singer or band? That's another really hard question. Singer? I really love Regina Spektor and Sia, and that's narrowing it down quite a bit. Bands are even harder. I'd have to say always and forever The Smiths. I love LCD Soundsystem and Lower Dens.
Does you computer track how many times you've played something -- if so what's at the top of the list? No, but I know it would be a toss-up between "Help I'm Alive," by Metric, and "Love Interruption," by Jack White. I play them over and over and over -- and over.
What was your favorite new or new-to-you album from 2011? He Gets Me High album by Dum Dum Girls.
What one song would you play if you had a world-wide radio audience? I'll give you two. "The King and All of His Men," by Wolf Gang -- it's uplifting and just puts me in a good mood. And "Making Plans for Nigel," by XTC because it's such a great song.
Who is your favorite local artist? Authority Zero, Male Pattern Radness, Dangerville.
What is your favorite local venue to see music? I really like the Orpheum for the out-of-town artists, and The Trunk Space is the most fun place to hang out and watch local bands.
What is your favorite music video? "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings," by Father John Misty. The video features one of my favorite actresses, Aubrey Plaza, from Parks and
Recreation. Plaza was also on an episode of Portlandia.
