Miss Kittin's Blog

We approched the show in Stuttgart with an easy going flavor, one more night before day off, whatever. Again, surprise! An ultra motivated crowd, and us so comfortable on stage. I didn’t push my voice at all, maybe because it sounded so warm and clear to me, the team said it was vocally my best performance. Funny, after all these shows in a row, my voice was supposed to be as tired as me. It has to do with letting go, again.
After the show everybody hanged around backstage, enjoying that little privacy a lot, that’s why we asked strangers to go. We worked a lot, took on ourselves to hold on, only starting now to adjust and digest the whole thing. Some of our technicians just begin to be familiar with our music, discovering a whole new world, new connections, new fans. Last night was for them a step forward, realising being part of the family, a family so important to us, and for the future. They drunk a lot, teasing each other, releasing tension. It was so sweet to see.

The day off yesterday was really necessary, eventhough we would have needed it before, not 2 days before going home. Eastern’s fault! Stuttgart on public holiday isn’t exactly Miami, even on a hot sunny weather… Around our hotel, nothing but Mercedes car dealers. Fair enough, that’s where they are made. Look on the motorway: no speed limit around! We spent the day doing nothing, a luxury. We even came back to the delicious Italian place for a treat. And back again to hotel for a good night sleep.

This morning we drove to Wiesbaden. I wonder if this is Sven Väth’s hometown I heard so much about. Sun was again high in the sky. We ran away from the depressing parking lot behind the venue to explore this strange city. A hostile train station, a big park with beautiful blooming trees, a busy main shopping street. We walked for more than 3h while the boys had to load in, just back for soundcheck. The venue is dodgy, punk style, no space for our light system again, so why bother, we’ll be punks too, no costume tonight, no glitter, like back in the days.

Sun is still with us! We didn’t expect such a beautiful spring, cheering us up a lot on the road.
In Hamburg, very very tired. We had a walk on Marktstrasse, everything was closed for Easter and passing the Elternhaus shop of a dear friend reminded me lots of rock’n'roll memories.
To play at 2am just killed us. I wish we could never play late, it’s just too hard gigs every day. We had a shower in a strange hotel we called Hotel Derrick because of the dodgy 70’s style and the plastic shower block with linoleum, like in a camping car… The party was so so for us. We simply don’t think the show fits into clubs anymore… Just a short hello to Tiga who was playing after us, before going back to the bus.

We woke up in Leipzig, big sun again, hungry like hell. It took 2h to get breakfast at the café around the corner… The beauty of the building where we played put us in a much better mood.Simply unbelievable, old school architecture and staff like you only find in government places, a deep East touch nearly forgotten. A real luxury. We could get lost in the labyrinth of corridors, to reach a stage cut in 2: one side was for a theater play, one side for us, and when the play is over, they transform it into a dancefloor! The audience was very good, carefully listening, slowly getting into it, so satisfying for us, tired artists… It starts to be long, driving, non stop, shows after shows, we all need a back massage…

Today, Stuttgart, empty city at Eastern. Two nights of good sleep in a real bed. I love to sleep in the bus, but everybody will enjoy it, especially a proper bathroom. Soundcheck went well. Lots of time to kill backstage, talking, making jokes, having a nap. We had dinner in a great Italian restaurant, Michel said the cannelloni ricotta-spinach were nearly as good as his mother. We don’t play our version of “I feel love” anymore, enough to have Suspicious Minds as cover. We did it a few times, it’s probably on youtube, better to play our own tracks. Tomorrow is day off, nothing to do! It will be a great day to play tarot in the sun. But before, one good show to go. Seems like it will be packed. Enjoying my quiet time in the bus listening to KLF Chill Out.

Riot in Munich… People screamed so much I couldn’t hear what I was singing but I am not complaining! Munich, you’re still on the map! You were our first audience and will always be. I wanted to write the blog, but our internet connection in the bus is so slow…
Arriving in Berlin, near the place I used to live, felt so strange. I can’t explain it. On one side, my memories of a fast life, but also like it never happens. I remembered all the cafés I used to go with my friends, the clubs and after hours, the park where I used to lay down in the sun… Now, in front of them, team and precious friends, anxious to be an old boring electronic band. Lido was full, again, lucky. And we constantly have something to prove, night after night, especially here. Berlin is a difficult place for bands. I drunk a dry vodka or two before starting. Bad idea. I missed a line on the 1st track, enough to bring me back on Earth. God I had to fight for them, take them by the balls. If I look comfortable on stage, move, scream, it’s an illusion, the only weapon to catch them. If I feel ridiculous, no one wants to know and they’re right. But we made it, we made that damn show to impress our friends! It was mostly a great reward for our team to see the result of their hard work. Should we remind you we autoproduce everything, record to stage, no financial support at all. That’s why you’re more than welcome to support us and visit Fred at the merchandising stand!!!
Backstage, too much talking. Can you imagine, how much I have nothing else to say after 1h30 singing… I usually run away to the bus, put my pyjama and read a book. Silence. But we had to enjoy ourselves after that challenge, enjoy the joys of Berlin! We went to Week-End to hear Tiga, danced like back in the days, drunk, full moon on Alexander Platz! But it was time to go back to the bus, and head to Hamburg. Sweet dreams…

Last night was a gift show, big surprise. These days when you know why you’re doing all this. Even if the sun was shining, I felt blue, far away from everything, lost. We were afraid to play in front of nobody, on a tuesday evening. But the location was so nice, we thought we will offer a good performance and have a good time anyway, like a private concert, something cosy and intimate after the last 2 festivals.
And it wasn’t empty, just incredibly sweet and comfortable, I just digged into the songs, smiling, like I wanted to thank them all to have come to see us. I wanted them to go home and say they got something special, unexpected, the same way we did. We were really touched, because it’s rare and lovely, magic can happen at every corner only when you don’t expect it.
I woke up on the highway to Munich, we did the usual 45mn stop at a petrol station. The bumpy road makes it difficult to sleep. I finished my book and didn’t know what to do, endless trip. Munich has this typical architecture, a bit cold and arrogant sometimes. Strange place. I never really liked it even if it’s full of great memories from the old days, where everything started for Michel and I. Tonight is a big night, dear friends will see what we became after all these years. Sadly we can’t install the lights onstage, the show won’t be the same and I am so upset we can’t perform at our best in this town. And it’s not even surprising, it was always like this. All the performance will be on us, naked, punks in glitter. I hate this pressure, I am not on stage to be important, but to share a moment, as a vector. Because we don’ t have the lights, I will have to dig inside myself to find the inspiration not to care. Maybe I’ll be wilder, maybe I can kick someone in the face if he misbehaves.
I went to the supermarket to fill up the fridge and cleaned the bus, some habits to feel home. I am not going for dinner, I stay alone in the bus to write the blog and check emails or reply to interviews. Again, thanks Mannheim!
Munich, can you top this???

After the first 2 hard dates in French festivals and 1 short day off at home, here we are in Mannheim. After the rain in Paris, a beautiful sun welcomed us. Back into the bus rhythm that the day off actually broke more than anything. But we filled up the fridge! I know, you’ll say she’s talking about food again but believe me, it’s high priority to feel good and make a good show. Caterings in French festivals was too much of a disaster. Now waiting for the 3rd show to go, so far we all can be proud of the evolution. “Fitter, happier, more productive…” said Radiohead, it’s only the beginning… But before hitting the road again, I will check if business is all right. Someone has to do the job! See you in Munich!

Day One. south east of France. Everybody’s in the place, everybody found its place! No way I am going backstage, our home on wheels is just too comfortable. Lots of dread locks, dogs and metal people. We play at 1, bit too late for my taste so we are killing time drinking red wine and talking. Latest gossip: Babyshambles missed their plane, ha ha ha, they are supposed to arrive by private jet later. Who cares! We’ll be there, 1st show of the tour, new lights, it feels like we never really stopped. XXX

After USA and Canada last October, Kittin and Hacker are about to hit the road again. Final countdown 3rd of April.
Now is the time to get ready, making lists, packing stuff, until rehearsals… Lots of stress… Better to be prepared cos when you’re on the road, you’re on the road!
More to follow…
Cheerio!

1015-saturday-night

Hey, check out our interview on brazilian “See The Sound TV”: