Rollo & Grady Interview :: Michael Coomer of Harlem
![Coomers interview []](http://www.rollogrady.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Coomers-interview-2.jpg "Coomers interview []")
Last month I caught up with Michael “Coomers” Coomer of the band Harlem. “We met for drinks at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, in nearby Beverly Hills. He’s surprisingly petite and ladylike, with beautiful almond-shaped dark brown eyes and full lips that he painted a deep red the day we met. Coomers has a unique tomboy-meets-ghetto-fabulous-meets-exotic-princess look, like his music, manages to combine sexy elements (lingerie peeks out from under his see-through top) with individual flourishes (he designs elaborate patterns for his nails) and ethnic accents (the bright, rich prints of Austin are his wardrobe staple). Coomers studied the menu, deciding on a glass of wine and Truffle French fries…”
Oh shit, that’s from MIA’s interview for the New York Times. Actually, Coomers and I had a less exotic conversation on the phone last month, as the band was preparing for its European tour. This may have been one of his last interviews. According to an article in NME, the band was driving in Barcelona on the way to play the Primavera Sound Festival when a French doctor fell asleep at the wheel and almost crashed straight into their van. Harlem’s driver averted the accident, but the other driver hit the back of the van. He then jumped out of his car and shouted, “I’m a doctor.”
During our conversation, we discussed the band’s signing with Matador Records, music critics, and Twitter. Harlem has mad Twitter skills. Here are some of my favorites:
“Smith Westerns are at the grocery trying samples of gelato. Bad boy rep still intact.”
“Whoops I got a little stoned. Highschool embarrassing exchange with pretty girls out front. I’m never going to be cool, bummer.
“the only thing gayer than being into a band is being into a dj.”
“drinking wine all day and when I looked in the mirror a voice inside me said “you look like interview with a vampire” thanks gay me.”
“I have a pitbull in a headlock right now because he tried to get fresh. Weird how dogs go from affectionate to rapey so fast.”
“I have taken like a million whore’s bath this week.”
“accidentally said “thanks mom” to the bartender. played it off as a joke but wtf.”
“South by sou…Damn this place smells like ax body spray.”
