Tori's Chat on AOL & the Net...Or the Lack of One! |
What can I say? The entire event was rather disappointing. The date was April 9th. On America Online, over 500 people virtually packed the MTV arena to "chat" with Tori. The excitement and anticipation was obvious from the comments scrolling down my screen. People were even fairly patient as the time dragged passed 7:00PM. Then finally at about 7:25, Matt Pinfield from MTV's 120 Minutes program appeared and began praising Tori. He and Tori then had an interesting short conversation. That was followed by a formal greeting from some MTV bigwig.
Almost immediately after they started to ask the first question, my connection with AOL was severed. I frantically tried to sign on again, but the MTV arena site was unavailable. I then tried to get to the chat via IRC using my direct Internet account. However, the server was not responding there either. I then noticed on the MTV web site a little note that said the IRC server was having technical difficulties. By now it was 8:00, and I realized that Tori would need to leave and get mentally prepared for the opening concert of her North American Tour, which was just a little over an hour away! I sulked and grew depressed, realizing that the event we had all looked forward to had failed to materialize.
When I was able to sign back onto AOL, I hung out a while with some other fans, and we consoled each other. I then learned that Tori did not even have a chance to answer hardly any questions. At least we got to hear from her a little bit, and if you read the transcript below you will see that they seem serious about trying to do this again rather soon!
A little past 9:00, Matt Pinfield returned and apologized profusely to us. The "crowd" had dwindled down to about 150. At 9:30, Tori took to the stage in Tampa, and we enjoyed about a half hour of commentary from Matt, as well as some trivia questions with prizes. So in a way, we were able to experience some of Tori in concert through the eyes of Matt Pinfield. However, the photos of Tori in concert that we were told would be available never did show up on AOL or the Internet that night. See the transcript below for all the details of the few things Tori said, and the concert play-by-play from Matt.
7:00PM MtvMattP : Hello everybody and welcome to this groundbreaking internet event MtvMattP : I think it's appropriate that we're doing this tonight with Tori MtvMattP : because her music is so passionate and original MtvMattP : that I couldn't be more excited to be doing this T0RlAM0S : Matt, is sounds like you're talking about my wedding T0RlAM0S : not my first American show! MtvMattP : I can't help it Tori, I get really philosophical when it comes MtvMattP : to talking about you and your music T0RlAM0S : But I've waited too long. MtvMattP : Tori this is the first night of your American tour...you just MtvMattP : did Europe as well T0RlAM0S : We did 30 shows in Europe, just finished in Italy. T0RlAM0S : I took a week break in Tuscany. MtvMattP : How was that T0RlAM0S : I found out I'm allergic to pasta MtvMattP : Was it a different type of pasta T0RlAM0S : It was the best pasta I ever had in my life. T0RlAM0S : I had to drink just to take away the pain of the idea MtvMattP : and then all of the sudden you found out you were allergic T0RlAM0S : that I couldn't eat what I was there for. T0RlAM0S : We don't have to explain how I found out I'm allergic to pasta. T0RlAM0S : The thing is, the man I was with who'se absolutely T0RlAM0S : lovely was very supportive and just encouraged T0RlAM0S : me to drink port. MtvMattP : So it kind of covered up for the way you felt T0RlAM0S : It helped take the pain away. T0RlAM0S : Plus it kind of...he didn't feel like he T0RlAM0S : wasted his money taking me to Tuscany. MtvMattP : What cities were your favorite to play...generally every night T0RlAM0S : If I said every night I'd be a lying sack of shit. T0RlAM0S : The thing is, people always go "I heard you didn't like the show." T0RlAM0S : They don't understand sometimes that I'm dealing T0RlAM0S : with technical things on the stage, I'm not T0RlAM0S : hearing what they're hearing. I'm like John Travolta T0RlAM0S : in "boy in the Plastic Bubble." T0RlAM0S : Brad Pitt could be on the other side, but T0RlAM0S : depending n what the bubbles' doing that day, he T0RlAM0S : could look gross. T0RlAM0S : It has to do with the hall, monitor system there are MtvMattP : that has to do with the monitor system T0RlAM0S : so many variables. T0RlAM0S : I'm not always talking about tha audience. T0RlAM0S : If we have little to work with and the acoustics T0RlAM0S : are not good, sometimes the vibe can just make up for T0RlAM0S : everything. T0RlAM0S : It all has to work together. MtvMattP : Alright, now lets take some questions MtvMattP : I know there are so many fans of yours out on the WWW, and internet MtvMattP : it's really evident with the amount of Web sites and conversations MtvMattP : all based on your music and conversations Mtvanguard : Welcome to the MTV Arena for MTV Online's first-ever simultaneous America Online/Web chat. Mtvanguard : Tori Amos is our guest. Mtvanguard : She kicks off her North American tour with a live chat, hosted by 120 Minutes' Matt Pinfield. Mtvanguard : This online event takes place live from Tori's opening-night show at Mtvanguard : the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Tampa, Florida. Mtvanguard : Since Tori will be chatting live with us from Florida, so if you didn't get a ticket, Mtvanguard : you're here for the next best thing! Mtvanguard : We've got a very special host for the chat tonight. Mtvanguard : Some of you know him as the mysterious man behind the screenname, baldlove. Mtvanguard : Some of you know him as The Matt, Mtvanguard : that guy you can never stump with your trivia questions on our weekly online show, Mtvanguard : "Go To The Matt." Mtvanguard : Most of you know him as the host of MTV's "120 Minutes"--that's right, it's Matt Pinfield. Mtvanguard : Before we say hello to Tori and Matt, a few things you'll need to know about this event.... Mtvanguard : This chat is taking place on the World Wide Web and America Online at the same time. Mtvanguard : We will take turns with questions: one from aol, one from the Web, one from aol, etc. Mtvanguard : However, questions from aol will be put up on the Web, and vice versa. Mtvanguard : So, don't worry, everybody will see all the questions! Mtvanguard : This chat will run till about 8:00pm (ET). MTViolator : *** PLEASE NOTE AOL IS HAVING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS THIS EVENING. THIS EVENT MAY SHUT DOWN PRE-MATURELY Mtvanguard : Then, don't forget to come back at 9:00pm (ET), Mtvanguard : just as Tori gets ready to go onstage, to see exclusive, simultaneously-uploaded shots of the show, Mtvanguard : get Matt's play-by-play of the vibe at Tori's gig, and win prizes. Mtvanguard : Okay, let's get down to it... Mtvanguard : Tori Amos first emerged in 1992 with her stunning album, "LITTLE EARTHQUAKES." Mtvanguard : Her emotionally challenging music and live shows that border on religious experience Mtvanguard : quickly turned music lovers into unbelievably dedicated masses. Mtvanguard : But you know all this, since you're probably one of those fans. MtvMattP : We're going to have a question from the audience soon Mtvanguard : A warm welcome to MTV's own Matt Pinfield (MTVMattP)! Mtvanguard : Matt, what do you have to say about Tori's latest record--her third--"BOYS FOR PELE?" MtvMattP : but in the meantime, let's talk about MtvMattP : the relationshiop between the two lyrics Mtvanguard : To ask a question, click "Interact With Host," and send in your question. Mtvanguard : Let's get to those questions. ..................All hell breaks loose now...the connection is lost :( Someone on the IRC server actually picked up this little tidbit! I added a little more conversation from Tori here April 13. MTVMattP: Tori, if you can answer that question about MTVMattP: the relationship between God and Mohammed My Friend Tori : People when they ask me, why didn't I make God Tori : a woman and I go like I made the Catholic Church too? Tori : I find that sometimes when I'm singing about Tori : religious mythogy, people are getting their Tori : own opinions in there instead of what really happened Tori : like in The Crusades anything that wasn't Christian Tori : beign tortured particularly the Cathares Tori : I was in a place called San Galgano - it's truly endless Tori : the control and domination that the institution wielded Tori : The burning of witches over a number of years, mostly Tori : women and when I wrote Muhammad My Friend, it was mostly Tori : about having a cup of tea with Muhammad and talking about Tori : the circumcision of the female part of God in every Tori : religion. Even Greek mythology, Zues was the big bad dude Tori : everyone was fragmented. Athena, seperated from her Tori : sexuality but had her wisdom, Aphrodite who has her sexuality Tori : in truth did not have many other aspects like wisdom, which is Tori : acknowledged. Question: Let me start by saying I just got to see your sound check and Question: a couple of songs you did for some lucky radio winners. I was Question: really moved by your version of The Springtime Of His Voodoo, it Question: was all engrossing and strong and I love it. I want to say I'm Question: really excited to hear all the new songs from the album tonight. Question: Are you very excited to be here in the states again? Tori : Every night, I try to take the songs as they're coming to me Tori : they seem to be shifting and changing with the tour because if Tori : your a classical piece, your practicing and performing a piece Tori : until it's exactly what the music says. If you've been around Tori : my family after church and had to sit for those Sunday dinners Tori : and inanimate objects like the piano become the most exciting Tori : everything to you. .................................................................... Later, at 9:10PM Mtvanguard : Hello again to all you patient souls who have stuck with us through these technical difficulties. Mtvanguard : AOL and MTV Online are doing our best to avoid any further complications. Mtvanguard : Welcome back to the MTV Arena, we're back for the second half of our Tori Amos live event. Mtvanguard : Here's what you'll get during this hour: Mtvanguard : 1) Exclusive photos live from Tori's show. Mtvanguard : We took some pictures earlier today at sound check, and we're taking more right now Mtvanguard : as Tori prepares to go onstage. We'll keep taking them for the first few songs, Mtvanguard : and we'll upload them here as we take them. Mtvanguard : If you're on aol, the photos will be in the Tori Amos folder on the front screen Mtvanguard : or right here in the arena. Mtvanguard : If you're on the Web, they'll be in the Photo Gallery, accessible from the MTV Arena page. Mtvanguard : 2) Matt Pinfield's play-by-play. Mtvanguard : Here in the Arena, Matt will be describing what's happening at the Tampa Bay arena Mtvanguard : where Tori's performing. Mtvanguard : You can continue to ask Matt questions, just Mtvanguard : 3) Win prizes. Throughout the course of the event, Matt will be asking trivia questions about Tori. We Mtvanguard : So take it away, Matt! MtvMattP : First of all, Tori and I want to st we're sorry that MtvMattP : we had so many technical details to deal with. MtvMattP : Ever since we did 120 Minutes together, w'eve MtvMattP : been talking about doing this night. MtvMattP : Tori had the idea of making this a more indepth interview MtvMattP : than we had r on 120 and being interactive with MtvMattP : her ans on the internet and Aol. MtvMattP : her fans, I mean MtvMattP : We are currently discussing our second plan MtvMattP : to makethis thing happen. MtvMattP : anyway, there is nothing Tori, myself or MTV could do MtvMattP : There were technical difficulties that were out of our hands. MtvMattP : So much for modern technology, huh? MtvMattP : We will have the final word! MtvMattP : I'm gonna tell youa little bit about what's going on here at the venue in Florida. MtvMattP : Tori got here and was working on sound check, MtvMattP : it's a beautiful theatre. MtvMattP : But whn no one is in the audience, it's difficult MtvMattP : for Tori to gauge the sound correctly of her and her piano and harsichord. MtvMattP : Because of the slap-back sound from the empty venue. MtvMattP : But Tori is very good at what she does and she dealt with it. MtvMattP : Knowing that there would be people in the venue later MtvMattP : to absorb some of the sound, so acoustics would be better. MtvMattP : Tori had to readjust the stage setup a bit, MtvMattP : because of the positioning of her piano and MtvMattP : Also, she's a bit farther back from the stage MtvMattP : she usually is because of the sound reasons. MtvMattP : But as usual, the show will still be very intimate once she takes the stage. MtvMattP : Because anywhere you're sitting in the venue you can MtvMattP : make a connection with her. MtvMattP : We're taking photos here at the venue. MtvMattP : Because of technical difficulties, again, we've had MtvMattP : a hard te getting them up. MtvMattP : But there should be some there now in the Tori folder we've set up, MtvMattP : we'll get as many of them up for you as we can. MtvMattP : After the sound check, Tori did a quick performance MtvMattP : for someradio winners--about 20. MtvMattP : She performed "In The Springtime Of His Voodoo," MtvMattP : The version was unbelievable! MtvMattP : One of the things that you'll find different on this tour from past ones MtvMattP : is the addition of a guitarist. MtvMattP : Whose sound blends with Tori's very well. MtvMattP : And because of the way he's positionined on the stage, MtvMattP : it doesn't take away from that living room intimacy that you're used to seeing with Tori. MtvMattP : Let's take a question now from the audience. Mtvanguard : Aiero asks: What is Tori wearing onstage tonight, Matt? MtvMattP : We're not exactly sure what she's going to wear tonight because she hasn't taken the stage MtvMattP : yet. MtvMattP : We're gonna try to get you some photos, MtvMattP : I'm sure she'll look stunning MtvMattP : She was dressed quite casually during sound check, she's been wearing skirts now a lot on stage MtvMattP : Okay, so we're gonna give you a chance to win some Tori merchandise. MtvMattP : How about answering a trivia question? Mtvanguard : Question #1: Mtvanguard : Who produced Tori's current record, "BOYS FOR PELE?" Mtvanguard : Send your answer to screename: AskTori 1@aol.com NOW! Mtvanguard : Prizes: Mtvanguard : - First 15 people to answer correctly win a copy of: "Boys For Pele" CD Mtvanguard : - *The first of the 15 winners also receives: One (1) Tori Amos import EP that includes Mtvanguard : "Caught A Light Sneeze" Mtvanguard : - *The second of the 15 winners also receives: One (1) Tori Amos limited edition EP Mtvanguard : that includes "Pass The Mission." MtvMattP : Speaking about Tori's wardrobe again, MtvMattP : she definitely has her own style and she's been MtvMattP : getting most of her clothing in London. MtvMattP : How about another question? Mtvanguard : MTMpt asks: Question : When will the Tori Unplugged be aired?-Mike MtvMattP : The Tori unplugged is taping this Thursday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York MtvMattP : It will air in mid-June or thereabouts. MtvMattP : Because Tori is so spontaneous with her live shows, MtvMattP : she has not even settled on her set for the Unplugged yet. MtvMattP : But you can expect some surprises. MtvMattP : "Tallula," Tori's new video, is debuting on 120 Minutes this weekend. MtvMattP : The arena seats 2500 people and the show sold out really quickly. MtvMattP : Let's do the next trivia question. Mtvanguard : Question #2: Mtvanguard : Tori Amos entered the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore at age five. Mtvanguard : Why did she leave when she was 11? Mtvanguard : Send your answer to screename: AskTori 2@aol.com NOW! Mtvanguard : Prizes: Mtvanguard : - The first 15 people to answer correctly win a copy of: "Boys For Pele" vinyl album Mtvanguard : - The first of the 15 winners also receives: One (1) U.K.-edition "Cornflake Girl" EP, Mtvanguard : - The second of the 15 winners also receives: One (1) U.S.-edition "Cornflake Girl" EP. MtvMattP : People are in the audience screaming, Tori's taking the stage right at this moment. MtvMattP : The PA is playing "son Of A Preacher Man," by Dusty Springfield. MtvMattP : Recently it was in the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack. MtvMattP : That's humorous, because she's the daughter of a preacher, as everyone knows. MtvMattP : Tori walked out onstage in front of a set MtvMattP : configuration of white lights. MtvMattP : almost like a constellation up close. MtvMattP : She sat at the piano, MtvMattP : and is slowly working her way into "Horses," MtvMattP : starting with an improvisation. MtvMattP : The plan was to have Tori on at 7pm for an hour. MtvMattP : Then I would come back later (without Tori) MtvMattP : to give a play by play of the beginning of her show, MtvMattP : which is happening now. MtvMattP : Tori and I have been planning to do this ever MtvMattP : since she was a guest on 120 Minutes a few months back. MtvMattP : For those of you who joined or tried to join us earlier, our sincerest apologies. MtvMattP : to both aol users and Web users. MtvMattP : There was an amazing amount of technical difficulties MtvMattP : that had nothing to do with us. MtvMattP : Maybe it was the storm in the northeast, who knows. MtvMattP : AOL pretty much went down, which you probably MtvMattP : know if you tried to sign on. MTViolator : StevenCoh asks: Question : Any chance of Trent Reznor joining Tori on a duet of Past the Mission at the unplugged Question : taping? MtvMattP : Trent's busy recording his new record. MtvMattP : You never know, but it's highly unlikely. MtvMattP : There's this amazing psychedelic light show going on on the stage. MtvMattP : Tori just jumped off her piano bench all excited and is talking to the audience. MtvMattP : She just stopped in the middle of her song and said, "I want to take you on the ride of your life." MtvMattP : She's saying "Let me sing for you tonight." MtvMattP : I think she wants the audience to keep the noise level down so she can concentrate on singing for them MtvMattP : She's now doing "Losing My Religion." MtvMattP : She did a version of it with Micheal Stipe, I think it was supposed to go on a soundtrack but MtvMattP : I don't think it every got on. MtvMattP : So for those of you who're dying to know, MtvMattP : Tori is wearing a white leotard with a kind of tube top, light blue over it. MtvMattP : With what looks like black jeans. MtvMattP : She started "Crucify" and then stopped it. MtvMattP : Here comes a story... MtvMattP : She's talking about being with her parents last Christmas MtvMattP : She's describing them singing "Away In A Manger" MtvMattP : They wanted her to sing along, but she said she just MtvMattP : couldn'hear that song in her head. MtvMattP : She's singing for us "Mohammed My Friend," she MtvMattP : started with the lyrics to "Away In a Manger" to MtvMattP : that tune. Mtvanguard : Question #3: Mtvanguard : A single off of Tori's current record cites the title of a Nine Inch Nails record. Mtvanguard : What is the song and the lyric? Mtvanguard : Send your answer to screename: AskTori 3@aol.com NOW! Mtvanguard : - First 15 people to answer correctly will win: special-edition Tori Amos picture book. Mtvanguard : - The first of the 15 winners also receives: Mtvanguard : One (1) 7" picture disc of "God." Mtvanguard : - The second of the 15 winners also receives: Mtvanguard : One (1) "Pass The Mission" EP including a live version, an album version, and two other tracks. Mtvanguard : GJeffer10 asks: Question : Hey Matt what's up whats coming up for 120 minutes this week? Any Premieres? MtvMattP : Yes, new Tori ("Tallula"), new Cure for "The 13th" MtvMattP : New Rage Against The Machine, which kicks serious butt. MtvMattP : And a series of more new videos. MtvMattP : Plus an interview with Marilyn Manson. MTViolator : Zeus 72 : Hey big Matt,..Did anyone open for Tori? MtvMattP : Yes, a guy named Willie Porter MtvMattP : He's the same guy who opened for her in England MtvMattP : We don't know that much more about him. Mtvanguard : 4/10Gainesville, Florida Mtvanguard : 4/12Fort Lauderdale, Florida Mtvanguard : 4/13Orlando, Florida Mtvanguard : 4/14Atlanta, Georgia Mtvanguard : 4/16Nashville, Tennessee Mtvanguard : 4/17Memphis, Tennessee Mtvanguard : 4/20Lexington, Kentucky Mtvanguard : **For more of Tori's tour dates, check out the MTV Online Concert Info area tomorrow. MtvMattP : She just switched to the harpsichord for "Bells" MtvMattP : Which is onstage with her now. MtvMattP : A guitarist just walked on, his name is Steve Caton. MtvMattP : It's the first time she's ever used a guitarist on tour. MtvMattP : There's a kind of psychedelic film being shown MtvMattP : on a triangular screen behind the stage. MtvMattP : People are just loving her in such a big way, she's got such passion. MTViolator : Drewkt: Matt-which is your fave tori album? MtvMattP : I love all three for different reasons. MtvMattP : It may be "Little Earthquakes," just because Tori MtvMattP : was so new to me then and what I was going through that year. MtvMattP : But all 3 records are special to me for different reasons. MtvMattP : Of course I love her b-sides, too. MtvMattP : I was so blown away by that version of "Smells LIke Teen Spirit." MtvMattP : If anybody can put a great twisted spin on a cover, it's definitely Tori. MtvMattP : She's playing "Amsterdam," "Cornflake Girl" is coming up next. MtvMattP : Also on the set list: "Space Dog," "Doughnut," MtvMattP : "Leather" "Precious" "Red Baron" MtvMattP : You know the whole titles, that's setlist shorthand. MTViolator : Mechel66 asks, Question : What's happening with Tori? Is she still playing and what is the crowds reaction? MtvMattP : She's finishing "Amsterdam" MtvMattP : The crowd goes crazy inbetween songs, they hang on her every word. MtvMattP : She's telling the audience she didn't mean to be mean when she stopped in the beginngin of MtvMattP : "Crucify"--now she's playing "Cornflake Girl"--she jus MtvMattP : just said that if she can't concentrate she loses the vibe. MtvMattP : The stage lighting is really beautiful now, MtvMattP : it's all green and blue and purple and very ethereal. MtvMattP : Are we going to b able to do the last quesiton? Mtvanguard : Question #4: Mtvanguard : What is the name of the comic book character Tori inspired Neil Gaiman to create? Mtvanguard : Send your answer to screename: AskTori 4@aol.com NOW! Mtvanguard : - The first person to answer wins beautiful 8-1/2"x11" bound, Mtvanguard : commemorative "Boys For Pele" picture book, autographed by Tori Amos, Mtvanguard : Plus the complete collection of Tori's 3 full-length CD releases. Mtvanguard : - The second person to answer wins a "Boys For Pele" commemorative poster, Mtvanguard : autographed by Tori Amos. Mtvanguard : There will be a list of winners from tonight's Tori contest in the Tori Amos area on MTV Online. Mtvanguard : Please look to see if you are a winner shortly after tonight's event MtvMattP : We're gonna wrap up now. MtvMattP : We'll give you the rest of the set list, although you know Tori, she'll change it every night 10 MtvMattP : minutes before taking the stage. MtvMattP : Still coming up: "Dutchman" "Caught A Light Sneeze," "Gun" MtvMattP : Then first encore plan, "Putting The Damage On" and "Winter" MtvMattP : And second encore had "Voodoo" "Sugar," and "Hey Jupiter" to close the evening, one of my favorite MtvMattP : songs. MtvMattP : The light show is really compelling, but never as compelling as Tori herself. MtvMattP : If you download the photos, you should be able to get MtvMattP : a photo of myself holding the actual set list. MtvMattP : So you can take a look at it. MtvMattP : Thanks for joining us. Once again, MtvMattP : Tori and I are sorry that we couldn't have a continusou MtvMattP : connection to finish the interview and more importantly take your questions. MtvMattP : We had the best of intentions, and we'll try and remedy this before the next time. MtvMattP : Once again it was out of our control, it was an internet problem. MtvMattP : Keep checking MTV Online, hopefully we'll have a rescheduled event. MtvMattP : We both agreed that we want to do it. MtvMattP : So for any of your friends of people you know on the Web site, let them know that we're planning to MtvMattP : reschedule. MtvMattP : Tori recommended that we do it in Philly or Washington DC, so expect it sooner rather MtvMattP : than later. MtvMattP : For everybody who joined us, thanks again MtvMattP : and thanks for supporting Tori. MtvMattP : Bye MtvMattP : See you Sunday on 120, when we'll have Tori's new video. Mtvanguard : Aside from the technical difficulties tonight, we hope that you got an piece of the action from Tori's Mtvanguard : premiere show from Tampa, Florida. Mtvanguard : To see if you won some great Tori stuff, look in the Tori Amos online area for a complete list of winn Mtvanguard : For a transcript of this event, go to the MTV Arena transcript library. Mtvanguard : Thanks to Matt Pinfield for hosting tonight's event. Mtvanguard : B'bye!
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