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Interviews

Listening In: Elisabeth Moss of ‘Mad Men’

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It’s been a busy year for Elisabeth Moss. She costarred in Russell Brand’s Get Him to the Greek (released on DVD this week), lived an 11-month marriage to SNL‘s Fred Armisen and, most important, watched Peggy-her character on the hit series Mad Men-triumphantly succeed as the only woman in the office more interested in a career than canoodling with Don Draper (at least, for now).

We caught up with Moss, 28, and asked her to call it: Beatles or Stones?

Mad Men recently used “( I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” for a scene. Then, in a later episode, Sally went to a Beatles concert with Don. So, which one do you like better?
Beatles, for sure. There’s nothing wrong with the Rolling Stones. I’m just more familiar with the Beatles.

What was the last concert you went to?
It’s not really a concert, but I went to [New York’s] Blue Note in March with my mom and saw Toots Thielemans. I’ve been listening to jazz all my life and he’s a harmonica player and my mom is a harmonica player so she’s a huge fan of his. He’s the best.

Growing up, whose music did your parents not approve of?
I can’t think of anyone. I was a pretty good kid. When I was 11, I thought Paula Abdul was racy. Which she was! I mean “Cold Hearted [Snake]” was a pretty scandalous song.

Do you remember the first album you bought with your own money?
Britney Spears’ …Baby On More Time. I still love her. You know why? When she hit it big the first time, I must’ve been 15-the perfect age. So for me she represents a very specific time in my teenage years. I assume she’s going to make a comeback. Maybe I’m going out on a limb.

If you were to curate a festival, who would be on the bill?
Oh my god! These questions are hard! Let me think. Is it weird to have Florence and the Machine and Taylor Swift?

No, it’s your dream bill.
Okay, I would go with Florence and the Machine, Taylor Swift, and… Let me think. I’m looking at my iTunes right now. Um, I would go with Katy Perry. I’m sorry, I have to do it, I love her so much.

Name a song you’ve listened to in the last 24 hours?
My absolute favorite song right now is “Fuck You” by Cee Lo Green. I love it because the title is so harsh but the song is actually sort of catchy and cute. It’s not what you would expect.

Who on Mad Men has the best taste in music?
Jon Hamm. He was the one who turned me on to the Cee Lo Green song.

Who comes after Radiohead on your iPod?
I have to look at my iTunes. They changed iTunes and I don’t know how to work it now. I can’t find Radiohead. But can I add Sigur Ros to my summer bill?

Sure. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I’m not like the person that gets up there and sounds exactly like the artist that they’re trying to sing. You know what I mean? I’m more likely to sing “I Will Survive.” But never by myself. Never by myself.