Wow! What a crazy week. A new president-elect in Mr. Obama, fire storms in Los Angeles, the absurd $30-million EMI lawsuit alive and well, Kanye-gate, and not one but TWO MTV Awards!
Kanye, I still love you.
And thank you, but no apology necessary, although I'm sure it's appreciated by the fans who voted.
I also happen to think its pretty fucking crazy 30 Seconds to Mars actually beat out METALLICA for an MTV award. We never in million years thought that could or would happen. But this award was voted for by the fans themselves and who are we to argue with them.
The second award we won that night was for an environmentally themed video that took the band halfway around the world, ending up 200 miles north of the ARCTIC CIRCLE where we shot on ICEBERGS AND GLACIERS, something which had never been done before in a vid and I highly recommend is never attempted again (unless you like frostbite, bottomless back breaking crevasses, and cool dips in deadly icy seawater...). For us, going to the Arctic was reward enough. Getting an award for it is absolutely INSANE.
Sadly, I guess it's Global Warming's year.
We have said before that we doubt we would ever win any award at all were it not for the amazing fans we have around the world that are often allowed to participate and vote for us. It was nice to be proven wrong and to be given the award for A Beautiful Lie (
http://abeautifullie.org/video_abl.aspx), which was not fan-voted.
That video changed our lives and also allowed us the excuse to launch www.abeautifullie.org. If you haven't been yet, come visit us sometime.
Overall, awards are great fun but they really say more about our fans than the band itself. It's a chance to celebrate and to thank everyone who has supported us so passionately and all those who have worked so hard on our behalf.
I love that Kanye speaks his mind. It's refreshing to see that freedom and bravery in a day where one can be condemned so quickly for what is said. And I think it says a lot about him that he apologized and did it with such humor and charm.
You're a total gentleman Mr. West. I'll call you later...
-j and the mars boys
P.S. After the awards that night we went out to celebrate and I ended up spending some time with Kanye, who I've always found really interesting and smart. He told me how much he enjoyed the video for ABL and the one with the "karate" (FY). I thought you guys would appreciate that as much as I did. :)
We love you guys!
P.P.S. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost their homes in the fires. We are surrounded by smoke, but fortunately we are safe and sound.