International singer Kesha speaks to TOI on music, collaborating with Justin Bieber and what her fans mean to her
Your music has already reached Indian shores, do you have any plans to visit or tour the country any time soon?
I’d love to come here soon when the time is right. Let’s plan something. I know my fans here are waiting for me.
Your albums have always been very flamboyant and out of the box, what’s the formula to be Kesha the artiste?
I am my own hero. I do whatever I’m pleased with. I don’t give a damn about what others think of me. Over years, my music has made me learnt a lot. My brother has also been my inspiration for my music. To be Kesha, you have to have that animal in you. That animal makes me adventurous and wild. I owe a lot to my mom from whom I learnt the art of punk music. I was born at a party so everything around me should be totally peppy.
Songwriting or composing a melody —what happens first? Or do they come to you at the same time, when you decide to work on an album?
It just happens to me. I just go with the flow. I write when I know I have something to express. I just write for the heck of it. Unlike others, I have nothing to fake about with my songs. I write and then sing what I feel is correct. A lot of artistes would not incorporate the same wordings as I do but I don’t cheat with my music. In fact, I work very hard to get the job completed.
How would you define the music you create for your albums?
My recent album is about the music I love. It is inspired by my memories, experiences, the moments I witnessed while I was on tour. I’ve tried to revive the old rock-n-roll genre with it. It is also influenced by eletro pop and dance pop. It is like an evolution to me. It expresses some parts of my life right from parties, love, sex and not to forget my erotic encounter with a male supernatural spirit.
Any performances your fans should look forward to in the coming months?
Yes, there is a lot in the pipeline. I’m going on a tour soon.
Anything about Indian music you would like to include in your songs, if given the opportunity?
Have learnt that music here is too spiritual.
Collaborations bring two artistes, different styles together. Any artistes you would like to collaborate with on your future projects?
I’ve already collaborated with the living legend, Iggy Pops. Nothing can be better than this in my life. I would love to collaborate with Justin Bieber and Keith Richards.
Any message for your fans in India?
Keep the animal alive in you. Discover those wild moments and make sure you turn your life adventurous and move out of the boring monotonous life. Try to figure out which animal you were in the past, as I think I was a lion (laughs).
