Karmin’s Coming to SF Pride
The band Karmin, known for songs like "Brokenhearted," will be the headlining act Sunday, June 24 on the main stage at San Francisco Pride.
Getting Karmin to perform this year is a "big deal," said Audrey Joseph, who booked performers for the stage.
"She was an unknown a couple months ago, and she's blowing up on all the charts," Joseph said, referring to Karmin singer Amy Heidemann.
Karmin consists of Heidemann and Nick Noonan. According to the biography on the band's website, they're known for playing pop and hip-hop songs. In 2011, they garnered widespread attention "when they posted a cover of Chris Brown's 'Look At Me Now' on YouTube," their site says. Since then, they've appeared on Saturday Night Live.
San Francisco Pride Executive Director Brendan Behan said Karmin has "a natural appeal. I really think they're up-and-coming, so it's exciting to have them on our stage knowing that there's such a viral groundswell of attention around them."
Joseph said she's been provided with $25,000 to pay for talent at this year's festival. She declined to say how much Karmin's being paid but said she got "a super deal."
"She's doing it because she loves San Francisco Pride, supposedly," Joseph said of Heidemann.
In an email exchange Monday, May 21, Karmin spokesman Joseph Carozza wouldn't say how much the band is being paid, and said neither member was available for an interview.
The Pride Committee's been working to pull itself out of debt and cut costs since a financial and leadership crisis that emerged in 2010.
Other main stage entertainment this year will include Gypsy Love and J.C. Jones.
The Pride Committee has also announced that Dot Jones, who's appeared on the TV show Glee, will be a celebrity grand marshal. Comedian Sarah Silverman and Carmen Carerra, who's appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race, have also been selected as celebrity grand marshals for 2012.
Joseph, Pride's longtime main stage producer, said that she's transitioning out of that role, but booked the talent and has been involved in other aspects of production this year.
"I'm main stage schlep and asshole," she quipped.
Heidi Haddad is now the main stage producer.
The 42nd annual San Francisco Pride Parade and celebration is June 23-24. For more information, visit http://www.sfpride.org.