Miranda Cosgrove Throws a Party on 'High Maintenance' EP

By Georgette Cline Posted Mar 28th 2011 07:30PM

Miranda Cosgrove's recently released EP 'High Maintenance' showcases the 'iCarly' star's versatile vocal talents. The rock-tinged pop effort, which took six months to record, also features a duet from Weezer's Rivers Cuomo on the title track.

Fresh off a tour, moving straight into recording a new 'iCarly' album and filming new episodes of the show, the actress-turned-chanteuse has her pretty little hands full. But it's what's to be expected from a lauded entertainer whose supporters pay attention to everything she says and does. To satisfy them, the self-professed Beatles fan divulges much about her new EP, reveals why she washes her face so much and chimes in on Miley Cyrus' antics.

How does this EP differ from the first album that you did, 'Sparks Fly'?

Well, every time I go into the studio I feel like I learn a lot more. So every time I record something it's a little more mature. Most of the music on this EP is more dance than the last CD. Also, I got to be a big part of it because usually I'm filming my show ['iCarly'] at the same time. The whole time I did this I was really focused on it and I got to work with a lot of new producers and people.

You mention 'High Maintenance' is one of your favorite songs on the EP. Why is that?

I loved getting to work with [Rivers Cuomo]. I've never done a duet or anything like that before -- just having somebody with you in the studio to play off of and work is really fun. He's a really cool guy. I've loved Weezer for such a long time and the music -- just to get to work with him is pretty crazy.

Speaking of 'High Maintenance,' the lyrics in the song say "So what if I break a few glasses, kick a few asses." Are some of your days like that?

Sure. I mean I think that's part of the fun of the song. In a way, I felt like I was playing a character because I'm definitely not that high maintenance but everybody has their moments where they kinda have a fit. It was fun to be in the studio and play that. The girl in the song is kinda a jerk so it was fun to get to be like that.

It's obvious you play a character when it comes to 'iCarly.' Do you ever feel that way with your music or does it come from a more honest place?

I think with most of the songs I do. Especially on the last album, some of the songs are about guys I had relationships with or stuff like that. When it's stuff like that, it's definitely coming from me but every once in a while I do a song that I wouldn't normally do. I think it's fun because you can take yourself out of your element for a second and just be something totally different.

On that note, are you a single 17-year-old?

Right now I don't have a boyfriend but I've had boyfriends before -- definitely some of the songs are about that. I think with this EP though most of the songs are just fun, dance songs. Like 'Dancing Crazy' is just about having fun and going out with your friends and 'High Maintenance' is mainly a silly song about this girl that is overly high maintenance and driving her boyfriend crazy. I wanted people to be able to pop the CD in and have a good time.

You recorded this EP without worrying about filming 'iCarly' simultaneously. How do you balance your acting and music career?

Yeah, it's hard when you're doing both. In a way, when I was doing my last album and I was filming at the same time, it was kind of nice because after work I would go to the studio. After playing a character all day it was nice to get to be in the studio and be myself. But it's also pretty cool to sit down and focus on one thing and really put you're all into it. I think that was nice -- just having six months to really do that.

You recently scored a Neutrogena contract. I read that it took you about 20 times to get the face splash right. Are you a perfectionist?

I guess with school, work and stuff I'm a little bit of a perfectionist -- not too bad. With [the Neutrogena commercial], it's funny because I actually did it like 40 times. It just takes a long time to get it right because they later put it in slow motion and make it look all cool. I just kept drenching myself with water then I'd go dry my hair and fix everything and do it again.

You've managed to keep a clean image, which is in contrast to a lot of other teen stars similar to you, like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. What are your thoughts on their behavior or how their image is portrayed?

To be honest, I feel like I'm kind of lucky because I haven't had too much of that. Just with paparazzi [it] is so annoying. Sometimes [my friends and I will] go to a movie and paparazzi will be there but it's not something that happens to me every day -- and sometimes when it happens, it's tough, even the few times it's happened to me. So I feel like I totally understand where that would be just hard. I've been lucky where I don't get any of that

Are you more of a private person, making sure you're not in those types of situations where your business can be put out there?

I think that's part of it but it's kind of sad to think that you always have to be worried about somebody doing something like that -- like filming you or saying something. I think it's important to surround yourself with people you really trust, too. I've had the same friends for a long time. I just feel like I can tell them anything. I pretty much hang out with the same four or five people all the time, so I don't worry too much.

Watch Miranda Cosgrove's 'Dancing Crazy' video

Download Miranda Cosgrove Songs | Buy Miranda Cosgrove Albums

Tags: Miranda Cosgrove

Comments

(2)

Monday 28 March

By J

Vote down Vote up Report this

There goes any credibility Rivers Cuomo ever had. iCarly. Jesus.

Friday 22 April

By Jessica

J. You're a douche! Miranda rocks and Rivers Cuomo can do whatever he wants and sing with whoever he wants. He's a very successful musician and if he felt like Miranda could bring something to a song and she was the best pick then that's his decision. Let me just ask you... have you even heard the song? I usually can't stand pop music I listen to bands like Sublime, Pepper, Rise Against, Chiodos, and anything I think sounds good but I LOOOVE that song High Maintenance! It's so much fun to listen to! Miranda rocks. Don't hate her because your band will never be good enough to play with Weezer!

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