Karmin leap from YouTube to 'SNL'

Saturday Night Live has always prided itself on taking chances on musical acts (see Jan. 14’s much-hyped, and later much-maligned, Lana Del Rey booking). But the Feb. 11 show could be a big risk — for both SNL and the band. While host Zooey Deschanel is the star of one of TV’s hottest sitcoms (Fox’s New Girl), musical guests Karmin are YouTube sensations who won’t release their debut album until April. ”I’m not too worried,” explains SNL music booker Brian Siedlecki. ”[Our] audience is more receptive to new bands.” The Berklee-trained duo — couple Nick Noonan and Amy Heidemann, both 25 — had a zeitgeist moment last spring when their cover of Chris Brown’s ”Look at Me Now” went viral; their bouncy, spit-polished takes on various pop hits have since racked up more than 170 million views on YouTube. Though their new single ”Broken Hearted” will be released next week, the SNL set will be the first time most viewers will see the band live — and performing their own compositions. But as Heidemann tells EW, ”We’re not really nervous!” Adds Noonan, ”It’s like our coming-out party.”