About a week ago, I did an interview with an electro pop band called The Veronicas. The girl I talked to is one of the singers and primary songwriters for the band. As a young Australian girl living in Los Angeles trying to make her artistic vision and career goals come to life, I found Jess Origliasso to be a fascinating character and she gave a surprisingly good interview. She seemed to enjoy herself, as well, and we shared some good laughs, as printed in the piece. The interview went so well, in fact, that it was featured on The Veronicas website as suggested reading for their fans. Then, yesterday, we received word that not only was the label unhappy with the interview, but the artist was, as well, claiming I misquoted her. The label asked me to take down the interview. We complied.


Now, I feel there is an injustice going on here. Not only to my integrity as a journalist, but their artist's integrity as a human being. I seriously doubt the artist would claim I misquoted her. The joke in question was one of the highlights of our conversation and would not be something so easily forgotten. Additionally, it was clearly a joke, and did not even suggest what the label is claiming it STATED. In fact, it very plainly said the opposite of what the label is claiming. The artist was there. She knows what she said. What she said is what I printed. Did it make her look bad? Not at all. It made her look like a funny person, which she is. Do I expect the label to know that their artist is a funny person? Not really. You wouldn't either, if you read the interview.


The Veronicas are well on record stating they demand to be taken seriously as a band and do not want to be pushed into some novelty pop category. Being adorable twin sisters automatically makes this an uphill battle. But, the girls have worked hard, developed a full band, and focused on putting together a killer live show. They are acclaimed songwriters, and even write material with those they lovingly refer to as 'the boys.' There is a reason they don't just go by their names in typical pop star fashion and instead opted for The Veronicas, a tribute to the Archie Comic. Despite all their efforts, a quick jaunt to their website or MySpace will show just how seriously the label takes them as a band.


The rest of the piece highlighted all of the accomplishments that make The Veronicas worthy of their success and popularity, and the level of perspective their unique experiences lend them. Questions about the difference between being a celebrity in their home country of Australia and in the US. What they like and dislike about being famous. The difference between writing a hit for someone else and having them for yourself. Their history of performing live and what the future holds for these talented young artists. Every single one of these subjects was responded to openly by the artist, in a professional but light-hearted manner, with a very clear focus on 'getting respect.' That's all these young ladies want. They want to be taken seriously, and they want to be treated with respect. I got that message loud and clear, so why doesn't the label?


I am absolutely stunned that a label would go out of their way to have print pieces on one of their artists REMOVED, especially when it's coming from a publication that validates exactly what the artist is trying to prove. In the complaint received via email, it was clear that no one had actually read the entirety of the interview. It is a shame that it had to be removed. I am always excited when I get to interview an artist who actually has something to say. This girl definitely did, and it's clear she is being ignored. These bogus accusations from the label further prove just how much they aren't listening. Well, Jess...I was listening. So even if I can't post the interview, I want to be on record stating publicly that Jessica and Lisa Marie Origliasso deserve respect; from fans, from the press, and from those who represent them.