Some interviews are years in the making. And others take nine months and twenty-eight days – as is he case with Kiddy Smile, who we first started speaking to in January! But in a year that has seen him release his debut album, One Trick Pony, along with accompanying singles and then go on to star in Gaspar Noé’s film Climax before taking it to Cannes, it’s fair to say 2018 has not been a chill one for the Parisienne.
Finally we managed to track him down to discuss Grace Jones, Ballroom culture and the downside of writing autobiographical songs.
Pierre, we’re finally doing this! I think we first spoke about an interview in February! You have been crazy busy! What’s been happening?
A lot! I went to Cannes with the Climax crew. It was great to work with such an incredible cast, including some of my friends. I also had the chance to play the album to audiences on tour before it came out so we could see their reaction first!
Your first singles ‘Let A Bitch Know’ and ‘Teardrops In The Box’ were both pretty dark compared to One Trick Pony. What changed between the singles and the album?
With those first two, I was really letting people know I wanted to make House music, that I knew where it came from and to prove I could do it. But I didn’t want to make an album for just a small group of people. I wanted to cross over and reach a wider audience. I love pop, so I wanted to put a pop twist on what I was already doing, like other House records that are still very popular but also respected, Robin S’ ‘Show Me Love’ and Inner City’s ‘Good Life.’
Talking about House music. Do you think QPOC’s contribution has been widely overlooked?
Yes, House was invented by the Black and Latino LGBT community. Now look at everyone that is making money off it – they are all straight, white men. It’s a bit annoying.
The other weekend I was in Madrid and listened to One Trick Pony as I admired the Cubist art of the Thyssen Gallery. It’s filled with such colour and life, it was the perfect soundtrack! Where do you think is the best place to hear it?
I don’t know the best place but the safest bet would be the club. Which club in particular? Just a fun place where people are hanging out. I made this album so that anyone could listen to it – whether happy or sad.
Did you make it for yourself, for your audience or for someone else?
I have to be honest, I am not trying to seduce people. I am not trying to serenade them into liking what I do. I am just bring true to myself and if it speaks to others then I guess we can all dance together.
Some of One Step Pony has a more profound message while some is straight up party music. Which songs took longer to write?
‘Be Honest’ was probably born around eight years ago and definitely a struggle to write. Not only to write but also to get the music together. Initially I wanted more of a Chicago-vibe. I was so touched by the first draft that I couldn’t let it go. I wasn’t happy with all the tweaks people were making – it took a lot of producers to get to the final edit.
I saw you say that ‘Be Honest’ was your favourite. Is it still?
Yes. I wrote it with Rouge Mary from Hercules & Love Affair. It’s not really about me, I just love to sing it and I love the way I sound when I sing it! It was the first time that I had been pushed into singing that way. It’s a very difficult song to sing and it took me a long time to be comfortable with it.
‘Moving On Now’ is my favourite.
That track is definitely not my favourite. It’s a break-up song and this one is autobiographical. That situation meant so much to me that I can’t even listen to it now. I don’t like to dwell on the past. When I perform it, I have to mix it with Moloko’s ‘Sing It Back’, so I can still get excited about it.
What has changed the most for you since the release?
There are a lot more people that know my face now and I’m not very comfortable with that. People keep coming up to me and saying things – mostly good! I grew up in a tough neighbourhood so if you want to attack me, I can deal with that. But I don’t know what to do with compliments. I just feel awkward and want to walk in the other direction. I feel like people are expecting something and I don’t know what to tell them.
I guess there’s media training to learn how to deal with press, but there’s no training for fans.
I don’t really like the name ‘fans’. It’s a bit much for me. People can want to hear more from you but it doesn’t mean they are fans. I admire people but I have never been a fan of anybody.
I know we spoke about Madonna before.
I was definitely not a fan of Madonna. I like some of her things but I’ve never been to one of her concerts. I only purchased one record. I don’t think I am the definition of a Madonna fan.
Are you a die-hard fan of anyone?
No. There are a lot of people that I admire, like Sylvester, Grace Jones…
Grace is in Paris a lot. Have you met her yet?
No and to be honest I’d rather not. I’d rather keep thinking of her the way I do than meet her and be disappointed. She might have had a long day and I might meet her at the wrong time or something.
Every interview I’ve read with you seems obsessed with your image and politics. Were you expecting to speak about that so much?
No. I mean, I guess I started it so I can’t complain. But it would be nice if people still acknowledged the fact that I’m a musician. Everything I talk about is going to be with feeling so if we talk about politics it’s going to be emotional – I’m talking about my life. I am a gay, black man and I suffer from racism and homophobia on a daily basis. If I’m going to sing about my life, these aspects are going to be part of it. If I was a straight, white woman, maybe I would just get asked about love.
Have there been any love affairs since releasing the album?
No, and I think it’s only going to get more and more isolating. Even before I had all this attention, people wouldn’t come up to me and try to hit on me. So now, it’s going to be even harder.
Besides releasing One Trick Pony, what is your proudest achievement to date?
Coming from my social background and making it to the Cannes Film Festival. I think I was the first openly-gay, black man from France to walk the red carpet at Cannes. It was a very important event and great to be there with such a diverse cast.
Someone who is making similar waves in the UK right now is MNEK.
Yes, I really like his stuff. I actually reached out to see if he wanted to collaborate on my album with me but he didn’t reply so I thought, ‘Oh, maybe he’s not feeling it.’ But now I’m not even sure that he saw the message. I’ve not brought that up since I’ve actually started speaking with him.
We need to make this collaboration happen.
Maybe for the next album!
When we spoke before, we asked you where you would take us in Paris and you said to a bath-house!
Yes. Maybe it’s just because I’m getting older but nothing is happening in Paris. I still get excited by balls though and I’ve been going for six years now! Paris has more balls than New York but that is because over there they don’t often finish on time and they leave the venue dirty. We don’t have those kind of problems here.
You obviously have a strong relationship with Ballroom culture. How did you first discover it?
My friends, Stephie Mizrahi and Lasseindra Ninja, asked me to help them find a place to throw a ball here in Paris and I happened to have a residency at the time. So I opened the club a little earlier just for them. Then when I witnessed all these kids finding space to be themselves and thrive, instead of hiding, I felt like I had to help and support them.
What do you make of the way that drag and ballroom culture have become so mainstream now?
It’s difficult for me to find depth in drag. It’s pure entertainment and I like things to have a meaning. Maybe it has one and I am just missing it! A lot of drag queens crack jokes and I just don’t get them! That’s probably part of it! I’m not a very funny person. I really appreciate the artistry though! They’re all pop stars now!
I’m more into the ball scene. I really like Pose. It includes a lot of people who get to tell their own story. You get to see things through their eyes.
And lastly, we are named after Mariah’s song ‘Loverboy’. What is your favourite Mariah track?
That’s easy, ‘Always Be My Baby’. I could never afford music so I always just stole it. I used to go to this one record store and I made my way through the Bs and stole Brandy, Boyz II Men and even Bon Jovi. Then I arrived at the letter C and Mariah’s ‘Always Be My Baby was the first!
Kiddy Smile’s album, One Trick Pony, is out to buy or stream now.
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