Crush of the Moment: Michael DiMartino aka captainl0ver

Hey Jamie

Big day for the blog. We hit an all time high in daily readers, and we’ve got our first live subject for Crush of the Moment, internet sensation “captainl0ver“, known by day as Michael DiMartino.

I found Mike’s videos the other day on YouTube while not looking for Semi-nude guys on Wii Fit.  He does a vlog on YouTube, but the real draw is his personal versions of pop hits. Yes, I know that a cute boy with a webcam has been there before: 1000 imitations of Single Ladies and Umbrella, but Mike’s are different. He does his own original productions using sign language. And he doesn’t rip off other’s ideas. He does his own choregraphy (quite well I might add…and occasionally shirtless) while signing for the hearing impaired. And he totally pulls it off. Here are his takes on Disturbia and Womanizer.

I wanted to learn more about this adorable, educated and charming NYC native so we talked earlier today.  So Jamie….our first interview:

Moose: So tell me a bit about Michael. Where do you live? Where you born? Single? Looking?

Michael: I live in NY, Brooklyn, born and raised. I probably sound as dumb as a brick when I talk. That’s why I took up sign. (kidding)
I am single. Im not particularly looking for anything. I think that when you look, you often find the wrong things.

Is your background in sign?

I learned sign language back in 2004. I took 2 years of learning the language, then 2 years of learning how to interpret as a profession (which is my full time career now). Honestly, I needed a language requirement to graduate college. My tongue refused to roll R’s properly, and I kept spitting on my teacher when I tried, so spanish was out of the picture. I’m half italian, so, hey, I figured, hand gestures work for me! I took sign. And I fell in love.

What kind of reaction have folks had to your videos?

It’s kind of remarkable how people have taken to my videos. I feel a little overwhelmed sometimes, when I get a lot of messages. My phone is constantly reminding me I have emails. It can be a little nerve wracking when someone recognizes you in Starbucks, I can tell you that much. Recently, my Womanizer vid was posted on Britney’s official website. That was probably my happiest moment. If I could be on the same stage while she performs, and interpret for her, that would be amazing.

Tell me a little about your evolution as an artist to where you are now and how you got to your current original style.

I grew up singing and dancing. I’ve always wanted to be a performer. Unfortunately, luck isn’t always on our side. It’s who you know, and the right moment, to make it big. I originally did Golddigger in a talent show, and decided to post it (which was removed from Youtube, because of a google/youtube dispute over copyright), and since then I found that I love editting and putting effects to the video. I try to put the effects and the ‘cuts’ where the beat is, so that the hearing impaired/deaf community can have an idea of the rythmn. That’s why my vids are normally loaded with effects. But it can be very burdening to catch the RYTHYM of the song on my hands. Especially when my computer is a snail and I can never tell if a sign is on the beat until I finalize the vid.

What are some misconceptions about music and the hearing impaired?

Deaf and hard of hearing alike seem to enjoy my videos. Believe it or not, many of them feel a connection to music, and feel they should be a part of it. and why not! EVERYONE should enjoy music! I’m happy that I can be the catalyst. People think because they can’t hear, they shouldn’t or can’t enjoy music, and that is SIMPLY NOT TRUE!

You seem to have many talents beyond signing. Ideally, would you like your career to go, and would signing always be a part of that plan?

Ideally, if I could do anything, I would be a performer. I would be the new Justin Timberlake (watch out buddy, give me one shot, and I’m coming for your spot). When I was younger, I sang in Carnegie Hall. I love singing and acting and I would love to persue that path. (As for dancing….I may have some rythmn…but that’s about it. I like to pretend I can actually dance – but I can’t. lol. ) Would signing be a part of my future if I ever DID follow my dream? In some way, shape or form. If it isn’t me doing the signing (It would be very difficult to sing and sign and dance simultaneously) I would definitely have an extremely talented musical Interpreter to ALWAYS be a part of my shows.

So, what else can we expect in the future?

I plan to do If You Seek Amy. I have devised a way to put the double meaning into the video! It’s just a matter of finding the time to do it. Damn my job. Damn it to hell.
After that is fair game. Probably something sad, or rock-ish. Something to pull on the heartstrings of little children. Something other than my typical pop videos. Something….different.

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If you want more, he’s got tons of vlog posting and other music video on his YouTube homepage.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Captainl0ver&view=videos

Tags: britney spears, captainl0ver, hearing impaired, if you seek amy, Justin Timberlake, michael dimartino, music videos, rhianna, sign language, umbrella, vlog, womanizer