Princess Superstar | Interview with Lyndsey Parker (LPTV)

We are here with the queen, the princess, but I think you're a queen, the queen of Electric Guest, the superstar herself, Princess Superstar.

Hi.

Hi. I tried to get dressed up for you. I still feel like I'm a little underdressed.

No, you look incredible. And we found out that I have these boots, too. We have the same boots.

have been boots twins, but I still think it's it's meant to be. I'm so excited that you're here. I wrote down you so okay, your album Superstar is it came out in 2001, but the version that you were signing here today is on Mom's Cucumber vinyl?

No, I'm by bond records.

Okay.

And um we

Is that green vinyl?

Well, yeah, we were originally going to do green vinyl for the Mom's Cucumber, which is like a line in my bad babysitter song, but um actually then the manufacturing plant made it pink instead because I think actually they knew who I was.

Can't go wrong with pink.

Exactly. They were like, "Oh, no, she meant pink. I'm sure."

Well, you said cucumber, maybe they thought that was a euphemism.

I don't know.

I don't know. Oh, yeah, right. I never thought of that.

So, it's crazy. It's been 25 years since Princess Superstar is came out. 25 years.

Yeah, I I can't even fathom. I can't believe it.

But what's cool is 25 years later, your career is possibly bigger than it was even back when that record came out.

It's kind of true. It's like one of those wild life stories, right? Where it's like that you know, my career was like kicking off back then with bad babysitter. Like it was number 11 on the charts in the UK and you know, I was touring in a big tour bus and then you know, did so much for like, you know, that whole decade, the 2000s and then I sort of my career sort of died, you know, but then totally got revived 2 years ago with Saltburn the soundtrack. Perfect was on it, went viral and I got my career back. So, it's kind of like a miracle.

Yeah, you've used that quote before. You got your career back and but it you never stopped grinding or working, right? You didn't take like I mean there's been gaps between records which we could get into, but it's not like you weren't on hiatus or anything. You weren't like Or were you? Were you taking breaks?

things. I mean I was taking breaks breaks because I was like knocking on so many doors and they were just shut and so it was like really depressing. And so like I gave up music for a little while and then I was like, "Okay, well, I'll just mom, you know, which is amazing." Like that's an incredible job. But inside I was like, "Oh, I just want to do music again and like why is nobody like letting me?" And then I was like, "I'm not going to wait for anyone to let me." Like I was a scrappy kid in the '90s that started their own record label, you know, with like zero money.

And so I was like, "Let me just keep making music and I'll put it out like on Spotify. Like how do I use this thing now called Spotify?" I was like so confused. And

I prefer Cucumber Vinyl over Spotify.

too. And um and so then I put music out, but it would fail. Like it would literally get like a thousand streams, but I kept going. Anyway, and I think that that's the message I really love to give to artists and to people, right? Like just keep going. Like you just never know cuz then when opportunity came, I was like prepared, you know, and then

Well, I definitely want to get into that, but yes, I have known you since Bad Babysitter. I worked for the enemy at the time. So yes, it's interesting you said you went to number 11 in the UK and you might have had all your life some struggles with trying to get heard, but what do you think it was about the British audience cuz I hear you and you sound quintessentially American, you know, you don't you know, you sound very American in the best possible way like New York and all that.

Yeah.

What do you think it was? Cuz that's like a phenomenon that's happened before. Like The Strokes got big there first. All those kind of bands of that era.

System.

Yeah, White Stripes actually got bigger there first. I think even Yeah, Jimi Hendrix back in the day got bigger there first.

That's right. That's right.

you think it was about the UK that was into what Princess Superstar was doing?

I think they're just forward. They're just cooler, you know what I mean? Like

That is true.

musically.

Yeah, maybe do you think it's cuz like did they see you not in a bad way? Like I was about to say novelty act, but I mean like was it sort of exotic that you were this like street tough New York lady?

Yeah, yeah, they they loved that and they loved um obviously like they they were like oh, she's funny and they love humor, you know what I mean? They have like such an amazing sense of humor and um so I think that was the funny thing that I was like yeah, this like white girl rapper, you know, they called me Feminem or whatever.

Remember this.

Yeah.

Cuz there weren't yeah, I mean there still aren't very many There's not that many female rappers back then.

Even fewer white ones. Still very few white ones. I mean Iggy Azalea had some success, right? You know, but yeah, like even that was How did you get taken seriously? Cuz I mean you worked with I mean you worked with Grandmaster Flash.

You worked with Cool Keith, Prince Paul. So like obviously you got taken seriously. People did not think you were a novelty act, but like what made you What was it like kind of blazing that trail back in 2001?

Um it's really hard actually and I don't want to like it sucks cuz like you don't and this especially in this day and age where you're like oh, it's so hard I was white, you know? Like but like it was hard being like a a woman doing this this art form, right? Like it was so hard. I I remember like back then I would go and and do these shows like opening up for like Dilated Peoples and Beanie Sigel and like yeah, and huge hip hop cuz I've squarely in the hip hop um like milieu. And it was so hard and if they liked you, you know, it it was all dudes. There was like no women in these audiences, okay? I don't know why, but it was dudes and they were like this and if they liked you and you got a head nod and a shoulder like this, like that was good. That that's why I started rapping over dance music cuz I like electro clash was happening, electro at the same time in Europe and I was going all the time to Europe cuz that's where I was famous and I was like oh wait a minute this was like gay and sparkly and fun and like I'm like [ __ ] these audiences like I can't take them because it's like you know primarily white dudes just white dudes in the audience you know what I mean like and they are so tough.

They were tough you know and

But the actual hip-hop community

The actual hip-hop community loved you and gave you a chance. And I loved them you know but it was really funny like in the early 2000s the people going to the hip-hop shows were white dudes like that was really primarily it and then you know you did have some mixture a little but there was no girls like it was really weird. So I really just went straight into the electro thing cuz I was like I can still rap but I need like a better environment for me you know and also also if they didn't like you what I just left out was that they throw things at you.

Like dangerous things or vegetables or bottles well that's a British thing I don't know about bottling is a British thing like at festivals and stuff.

Yeah but also in Canada I got I got this white guy in like a Wu-Tang shirt threw a bottle at me.

Did you ever get injured or anything?

No cuz I was like very you know good

Quick reflexes. Even in shoes like that you

Yeah and I was like no I'm not getting [ __ ] hit by a bottle like It's hard hard hard blazing that trail for sure I mean yeah but um I just knew one thing I wanted to rap that was it I didn't know the politics I didn't know anything about it I just was like this is the art form I want to do because I I love that you can with rap you can do different things than you can with singing so like I was like that's what I want to do.

What was the first like early rap that you got into that made you want to do that?

Um well I remember first hearing um, like um, Curtis Blow um, on the radio. It was like pirate radio. It was like I was like really young. And I was like, "Why is this guy talking on the record? He's not singing, he's talking." And I was like, "Dad!" What time cuz my like, you know, I was brought up on like classic rock. And um, and I was like, "Dad, he's talking. Why is he talking?" He's like, "That's rap." And I was like, "Oh, that's so cool."

People thought at one time people literally thought rap was going to be a passing fad, too.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. And my dad sort of was like that, too. Like, he was like he's like, "I don't know. I don't really get it." And I was like, "I know, but it's cool, right?" And he's like, "I don't know. No, no." Like, he's like, "Yes is cool." And I was like, I was like, "Okay, it is." But like

But you grew up in mostly in New York, which is the birth literal The Bronx is the birthplace of hip-hop.

Yeah, I was born in New York City and then we moved when I was three to Pennsylvania. And then when I was 17, I moved back to New York, too.

What a perfect age and time to be there.

It was so crazy. Late '80s, it was so amazing. And that is really where I, you know, got really into hip-hop cuz it was just like so amazing. Like, Tribe Called Quest and, you know, and and all that. And um, there was like ciphers, you know, in Union Square and stuff like that. And then there was this record store called Fat Beats, which was like you know, the quintessential hip-hop store. Like, Eminem had one of his first songs on a Fat Beats like or on Rock and Soul Records, that's what it was. And um, yeah, so that's how I got into it.

So, you talked about electro clash. It was a short-lived trend. Maybe if I think it's coming back now. People call it indie sleaze or people you hear the sounds like you'll hear it in what Charli XCX is doing, you'll hear it in like with the Dare. Yeah, I love the Dare.

Mhm. I like the girls who do drugs.

I'm super in I I like the minute I heard that, I was like, "Okay, fun is back."

Yeah. But electro clash, even though it was a short-lived uh movement at the time and maybe not taken that seriously at the time. I remember there was a lot of critical disdain for it. Uh I think it was very important. It was like it was actually quite dominated by a lot of women, like Chicks on Speed and Peaches and yourself and it was very sex-positive and it was very queer-positive and it was about having fun. And um I'd love to know your memories of that time because I I I'm happy to see it come back, but I'm I'm waiting for like the electro clash documentary or or oral history. I think I think it was really it was a lightning bolt in time.

Yeah, it really was. I mean, it was so amazing. What I really loved the most about it was that you really had all the music genres blending and that's something that I was always super into anyway. Like um like you had punk with techno with hip-hop with classic rock. I mean, there you know, that was really when mashups started happening and here in the US with Z Trip, but then over there was with 2 Many DJs and they were like I remember hearing

two You want to say 2 Many DJs from Belgium?

They they I heard like Missy Elliott rapping over AC/DC and I was like, what the [ __ ] is that? Like what is that?

Because that was really my childhood, you know? Like I had the AC/DC, but I was also into hip-hop. Like I was like, oh my god. And that's part of why I wanted to become a DJ, which I did, too. Cuz like I was so influenced. I was like, I love that you can mash up everything here. Um and that's it was wild and free and fun and like yeah, like you said like just like um it was a real like kind of nod also to the 80s, like new wave, um which is like what I grew up on as well. Um and then yeah, just really like like queer and sparkles and fun and like not taking it too seriously and I I really love that.

I I don't know if you agree with this, but I almost felt like the backlash that came, and it came kind of fast, was almost like the backlash that disco got in '79 where because it, you know, people can have theories about why that was, but it was clearly there were a lot of people who didn't like disco because it was very gay, and there was it was also like a lot of people of color in it, and it got dismissed as being like um cheesy music of no substance while you know, it's all about Yes or Fine, by the way, but you know, it's not real music, Yes is real music, and now everybody loves disco and like reveres disco, and you hear it still now. Like, what is your What are your thoughts about that?

funny that you say that because like, you know, there was like a kind of seriousness coming out of New York, which was like LCD Soundsystem and Strokes, you know, and that and they looked That kind of crowd looked down on us. Like, you know what I mean? They were like

Sharks in the Jets

Yeah, yeah, and it was like it was like, oh, and like electroclash is embarrassing. Like, it wasn't music of substance. Like, they Like, there there was that thing going on, and they were like the cool kids, and then we were sort of like the I don't know, like we weren't as cool like or something. Like, it's so funny.

It's so funny that I love I I forgot about that. I forgot that there was And even like Larry Tee, you got to come and interview Larry Tee.

love I was just thinking about him today because Miss Neon, who you're going to go on tour with with Lords of Acid, she has connections to Larry Tee as well, and I just interviewed her. She was on my

to get you Larry Tee. He's like my bestie, and you know, we did Le Tigre together, but he started

basically the godfather

Godfather of electroclash, yeah, for sure. And um he started a party in in in Berlin, I mean, sorry, in Williamsburg called Williamsburg.

I can't even say it. But um and he called it electroclash, but then like there was a fight between him and DJ Hell in Germany. Like I think they were fighting over who came up with the word electroclash. But then that was not cool to the kids who were like into the Strokes and LCD Soundsystem and stuff.

I feel like things were more compartmentalized then. Like now no one cares. Like they'll like they'll like Doja Cat and they'll like, you know, Geese or whatever.

Exactly. But no, back then it was still like Yeah, it was compartmentalized. And then I wasn't really in the New York scene too much. Like I was really in Europe a lot, you know? And it's so funny cuz like I'm writing this song I actually with Digitalism. And I know who are amazing. And like I'm it's called I was in Berlin. And it's like kind of talking about what we're talking about.

Like I wasn't even in New York. Like if you read that book Meet Me in the Bathroom, like I'm not even in it. Even though it's all about New York City electro and like all that. It's like that I lived in New York. Like that was my thing, but I was I was in Berlin.

Well, you kind of didn't really fit I guess any neat genre you're talking about your influence and stuff. Cuz yeah, when people do start to talk about electroclash and people are talking about it more now. I don't know if your name always comes up. I guess it sort of does, but kind of more

It's more like Peaches and that kind of thing. Even though

back. She just put a record out.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um but yeah, no, I I know I I do sit in a funny place. Cuz also I come from hip hop. And then I went over into dance, you know? And and it's like and I became a DJ. So it's like I'm kind of like I think maybe it's like people don't really know where to put me, you know?

Well, now it's a good time for you to be back because of the fact that everything's a little more genre fluid now, but I do since one more last thing sort about the electroclash thing. I was talking about how fun it was and how happy I am to sort of see in gleams of it coming back with like The Dare like just even there's like an account on Instagram I follow called like Indie Sleaze. It's just like photos of like Sin a Space and uh what was that club? MisShapes, things like that.

And I'm curious if you well, in general why you think it's coming back, but I feel it's coming back because like Gen Z isn't or people who weren't uh you know, maybe younger millennials who weren't there at the time, they're probably like, "Wow, that looks like so much fun, so much more fun than scrolling on my phone or never leaving the house." Like, "Look at these people wearing these crazy outfits and you know, drinking Sparks, which is probably not good for you." Uh but yeah, I do it's like nostalgia even though they weren't there if I'm making sense?

Yeah, I think so. I think it was like a really super fun amazing era. We didn't have phones, you know, it was like

Razr.

Yeah, we had Razrs. And um we were just more present, I think, and that they feel that. And I think, you know, nostalgia's always a thing, like, right? I mean, like in the 2000s we were nostalgic for the '80s, you know, and and sort of like, you know, but yeah, I think uh the fashion was sick though, you know?

It was.

And it was also like not expensive, you know? I mean, I guess maybe some people wore designer stuff, but most people

Like they we made things.

They looked cheap, but like in a good way.

Yeah, yeah, we cut things. We were wearing American Apparel and yeah.

god, yeah, like those like uh that like kind of sort of soft core porn looking uh campaign they had with like just women in like uh like satin leotards

Yeah, we loved that. And then we had little headbands, yeah.

It was a good look. That athleisure before they called it that.

Yeah.

So, you had all that happening. So, we're kind of going to move forward to like this resurgence, this comeback era that you're having. Um I think I was kind of surprised. So, Princess Superstar Is came out. And And there was like another four albums be four years before you had another album then it was like another five years after that and like there started to be these really big gaps before records and I was reading I hope this isn't like a weird thing to say but I was reading like All Music Guide about like specifically about Princess Superstar as the review it's like a glowing review and I'm looking for the quote but it said something like this is the album that's marking her arrival like this is the album that's going to make her superstar so why wasn't the momentum more intense after that I guess.

I mean that's a great [ __ ] question. I mean basically like after the success of Bad Babysitter we're like okay we need the next single and so everybody thought it was going to be Keith and me so we made a really funny video and it was with Kool Keith who's like a legend and I was so excited to to work with him especially like you know all us kids like loved like Blue Flowers and like the Dr. Octagon and then so I was like oh this is going to be huge.

Yeah I remember the song but yeah I didn't

Yeah it didn't pop off. So then you know it didn't pop off so then there was that so we're like oh [ __ ] what are we going to do and I was like well the next thing I really want to make is like a science fiction concept record and everyone was like oh no don't you think

I mean of course what could possibly go wrong?

What could possibly go wrong?

you saw I like kind of sat up a little straighter when you said that.

Right and I was I was like I'm going to make my like Tommy you know and everyone's like oh god

I still want you to make the electroclash musical with like the electroclash kids and like the Strokes kids like having a fight.

would be sick like maybe like when you're a stroke you're a stroke all the way. Oh my god. But

Yes do that.

I'm like okay I'm going to make this crazy ass record and I was just then transitioning from hip hop into like you know electroclash and so I was like let me work with like all the best producers and I could because everyone loved that baby sister. So I was like, I got like Todd Terry, Stuart Price who like, you know, is a genius and like worked with Madonna and um Armand Van Helden, Felix da Housecat.

women were the [ __ ] I'm just going to

Oh my god, Sue women.

Sue women in a magazine record was

Yeah, unbelievable. And like and um I got Arthur Baker to be the executive producer who like, you know, did Blue Monday for crying out loud. I'm like, okay, it'll be a concept record but it's going to be the [ __ ] you know. So I made my machine and it was like so many tracks and it took me so long cuz it was a story, you know, and um I did that in London with Arthur and everybody. And then by the time that came out, like I guess nobody really cared about me anymore.

I don't even know. But then we put out Perfect as the single, right? And uh basically like we put the acapella of Perfect on the vinyl cuz that's what you did as a hip-hop person. You put your acapella on your single vinyl, right? And thank god I did because basically that record totally flopped. In fact, it flopped so bad. Album flopped. Yeah.

The whole thing, even the single, the the record and it flopped so bad that like I was on tour and I had this really cool like live show that actually did at the Echo in 2005. I did that here. I was one of the last few places I did it and I and my bandmates it was like a theatrical thing that I totally envisioned and like the label pulled out their tour support in the middle of tour. They're like, this record's not selling. So you um you know, you that's it. We're you we're canceling all the dates and I was like, oh my god.

So that was devastating. Um two years later uh they call me up and said somebody put the acapella of perfect over exeter and it's blowing the [ __ ] up in England. It's now number three on the UK charts. This is 2007 two years after the record. And then that catapulted me back into the spotlight again. But it was a really weird thing because the label Ministry of Sound didn't put me in the video. So like people

money not with going into like legal stuff but like did you make money off of it? Did you make money off of it?

I made money. Yeah.

At least there's that.

But like people were like wait the bad babysitter girl is is the perfect girl and cuz it was already like six years. So nobody my branding got all [ __ ] up which is yeah. So anyway but

So then you put out a you did put out a couple I think your last album didn't come out till like I think was it 2013?

Yeah then the last

out a couple more records.

Yeah I put out I put out singles and things licky did really well. And then I put out singles and things and collabs but then yeah records like I don't know it's always really kind of slow on the on the making of records you know um which in retrospect like I wish that I wasn't you know but it is what it is and um now what's really cool is that I'm working on my um my next record and this will be the first record that I a full length that I put out in 13 years.

And I've you've done a couple interviews where you have said you think it's the best work of your entire 30 year or so career like the work or the work you're the most excited about.

Or most proud of so tell me I think a couple a couple songs have come out from it already.

couple songs have come out but um the whole thing will come out in the fall of 2026 and um yeah I'm like working with like amazing producers both who like new. Um you know like Oscar Scheller who like produced Pink Pantheress's

Wait he did? I know him as a recording artist.

Oh

He's I like him as an artist. I didn't know he produced.

an incredible Yes, he's got a number one right now with um Pink Panther and Zara Larsson.

Good for him. He's great.

Yeah, and he's such a sweetheart.

by just Oscar though as a as

Yeah. I love that you know his records. He'll be so happy.

he was I didn't know he produced.

Yeah. So, I'm working with him, but then I also have a song with like Hervé who made Licky and Rye Rye. Um and so, I'm trying to mix up like the old school and the new. Layback Luke is one of the producers. Also, um Constantin who produced Dance Monkey, which was a global number one in 40 countries. That song is sick. Let's see what it does. But anyways, the point is it's like a really [ __ ] amazing record. Like I'm so grateful for it. I don't know what it's called yet, but I'm toying with Her Magnum Opus, spelled o p

u s s.

Oh.

Yeah. I mean, I feel that you said it on camera. Like it's just

Now it's going to happen.

Yeah, maybe.

Like now that is out there. I mean, that that's pretty great. That's pretty great.

It's awesome. And I have to shout out Bibande Records cuz they reissued my record, which is so it's so amazing like to see that. Like I'm so grateful. Um they reissued Princess Superstar Is and also My Machine. The record that flopped. And by the way,

like science fiction like one-off show at the Echo so I can go this time?

Yes, my

Drink some Sparks and head over.

Yeah, exactly. Um my my dream is to like revive my machine as like a theatrical piece. Like that is one of my dreams. Like I do I I do love the story and I think it's like it actually was kind of a little psychic. Like I mean, even Grimes tweeted that. She was like Princess Superstar like was I forget what she said in the tweet, but it was like My Machine is like totally like today. Like

What was the storyline in an elevator pitch?

Oh, it was just like about like a like a megalomaniac megalomaniac How do you say that word?

megalomaniacal

Yeah, that.

megalomaniac

that artist who like wants every single position on the chart of the of the book chart, the music chart, wants to win all the Grammys, all the Academy Awards, and so she makes clones of herself so that she can be have all the So it's really about like artistic ego, but it's also more than that. Like it's really about ego and and the death of the ego and um also a lot about like corporate branding like

Yeah, you basically predicted the future. It's your fault.

Yeah, I predicted the future. Sorry.

Sorry.

You should have made a concept album about me winning or you winning the lottery or something.

There's nothing

Yeah, no, I mean, you were prescient. Obviously, you kind of Did you see like Did you see something on the horizon that like

Yeah, well, yeah, I could already see that it was already happening, you know? Yeah.

Well, I hope actually that I mean, I know we're here mostly to talk about either your new music or about Princess Superstar, but I hope that Yeah, I hope that record gets more appreciation now that so many things for better or worse have come to pass. And I would absolutely love to see a production of that. But everything's coming together for you with, you know, the past and the present and a lot of things are just lining up whether it's what you did back in the day sort of the world catching up to it or revivals of indie sleaze or whatever, but I do want to ask of course I'm sure you would ask this a million times, but how did the Saltburn thing come about because when Perfect was and I love the soundtrack for it. It was a lot of songs from that era like Ladytron and stuff.

It kind of exploded your career in a way. I mean, from what I've seen on your social media, you were not expecting it. You were not prepared and so yeah, I want this It's a wonderful It's like a not a Cinderella story, but it's like a fairy tale. Yeah, so how did that come about?

Cinderella a for sure. Yeah, basically they um emailed and asked me to use it. I had no idea it was like an indie film, you know, I was like people ask me all the time to use perfect exciter, so I didn't think anything of it and I basically always say yes.

And um and um so yeah, like they they used it and then I didn't hear anything and then it was like Christmas time and my daughter was like scrolling on Tik Tok and she's like, "Mom, your voice is all over my feed and so annoying." And I'm like, "Give me that." And um it was so incredible. I was like, "Oh my god, this is like going viral. Like, why?" Like, is it the pigeon thing because the like previously there was a pigeon filter and everyone was dancing to perfect. I was like, "I miss them." I'm going to I'm going to look that up later.

That sounds like some feel-good wholesome content.

I was like, "I'm proud of my pigeon filter." Yeah. Um but uh no, it was Salt Bae. Everyone was obsessed with Salt Bae and then it just like it snowballed and then the label reached out, the label that never talks to me. You know, like they were like I was like, "Why are they emailing me?" And it was so amazing. And then it was like I got a booking agent, I got a manager, you know, I got signed to like Universal Publishing. Like it was like all it was crazy.

And I loved how on social media you were not shy about expressing your joy about this and really kind of milk not milking it in a bad way, but like just really like just doing a lot of Tik Toks or Insta Instagram about how crazy this was and all of a sudden I was seeing you at a Grammy parties. You're like you really like embraced this this moment, a second chance or this resurgence, whatever you want to call it. You were like so excited about it.

I know. I was because I I was so grateful to have like a second chance at doing music again cuz like it you know, it's when you're an artist like that that's like what you love. Like it's like so painful, you know, when you don't get to do it or you get to do it but maybe on a smaller level or you're just not like reaching people really the way you want to or whatever. So, I was like so excited to like get it back. I was just like flabbergasting.

And your your social media's hilarious. I do want to ask it was a couple years ago it was kind of around the time when all this was happening.

I like laughed out loud at it. Like there was some [ __ ] I think it was the Daily Mail. It was one of those type of And it was like princess superstar they do this all the time like so what they don't say who it is so you click on it but it's like pop star is unrecognizable which by the way you were completely recognize I mean this Anyone would recognize It's not like you changed the clothes, the hair color, the face it's all the same. But you did this really funny you put them in their place about their stupid ageism and stuff by like you did this thing you had like fake teeth.

You like I mean what do you mean I'm recognizable?

Like cosplay as an old lady or something.

Yeah, yeah, like rotted teeth and stuff. I know that was fun. Yeah, I mean like I actually love all that stuff cuz I think it's so hilarious and it's like I forget what famous person like Mae West said it was like it's bad when they're not talking about you.

That ageism is so lame. I mean as a woman, you know, a Gen X woman who's been doing this for a while like

No, like what am I supposed to look like? Like I'm older.

look the you literally I mean even if you didn't look the same it wouldn't be cool but you literally look the same.

Like you the shoe I mean you look the same. I mean maybe a little bit older like all of us do but it was just kind of like eat not even a true headline but like was that something you experienced in your life just as a pop star whatever ageism is like basically once you were no longer

I think so. Yeah, a little bit. I mean I think like, you know, it's just hard. It's hard. No matter how you slice it music is hard. So, then if you add aging onto it, yeah, for sure, you know, but it's like what am I going to do? I'm not going to complain because it's like again it's like being it's like complaining about like being a white person in hip hop or whatever. It's like you can't really complain. Like okay, like yeah, this is the way the world is.

It's like either I'm going to [ __ ] keep doing my thing and like bust through or or not. Like I have a new single, the one with Constantine, it's called tough titties. That's the name of it. So it's like tough titties, dude. Got to just show up. Who who cares what the world is doing? You got to follow your passion, you know?

And I also love Not only are you not seemingly upset about getting older. You had a song called getting older. I have the whole title. [ __ ] still pop. And I think didn't you put that out like for your 50th birthday or whatever?

I did.

That's the best way to celebrate.

was one of the ones that like I put out and like, you know, it got like zero response.

Now it will get lots of response.

That's right.

I mean, I feel like any Well, it doesn't have to be a woman, but anyone who's like turning older

Yeah, and it's freaked out.

about whatever age it is, whether it's the big four-oh, five-oh, whatever.

Yeah, even guys, like your [ __ ] still pop even though you're 50, like, you know?

There is no, you know, expiration

pop cut off date.

Awesome. I think No, I just think it's awesome. That need Yeah, that needs to be like the new like birthday anthem that people do at karaoke or whatever. But you are like the queen or the princess of reinvention. So totally random uh question cuz you're talking about how you do DJing as well. Like you were instrumental Yeah, you were visionary cuz you were instrumental in Lana Del Rey's career when she was Lizzy Grant, right? Didn't you like produce her back in the day?

I did, yeah.

And you kind of reunited uh pretty recently like when you were having this resurgence at a festival.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's um it's amazing. My husband actually found her. I was producing artists at the time. It was like 2007. And um he's like you should produce her and I was like, oh yeah, she's amazing. And I was like you should do like a vintage thing, like a James Bond girl thing, you know, and just like slid her on in that direction and then introduced her to her manager, who's still our manager to this day, Ben. And um yeah, helped her.

Do you still produce artists or would you like to now that you have kind of, you know, more I mean, I guess you're maybe too busy now. You're about to go on tour, you're about to put a new record out, but it seems like a lot of artists, younger artists now that they're discovering you would probably like be like, "Oh my god, it's the Princess." They'd want to work with you.

Yeah, I mean, I guess I say no, but I The thing is about producing, like I just realized that what I really love to do is like I'm a lyricist and I like to write melodies and words and that's what I really love to do more than produce, but I still, you know, like I'm I actually did just take on this artist to produce him. Um but in general now I don't I don't really feel like it.

the artist? Is it

Oh, his name is Moses the artist, yeah. He's really good. And um so, you know, we'll see. We'll see what happens with that, but

Speaking of writing, is it true you're writing a memoir or an autobiography?

Yeah, so I did I just got I just got a a little tiny book deal with this UK

publishing house and it's a memoir.

Is it going to be your whole life or just like a certain like segment of your life?

I'm probably going to try to make it my whole life, yeah.

A great life.

So, yeah, I'm like really actually nervous about that. So, I'm going to talk to you about writing a book after this.

It's going to be great. I mean, just alone, just us talking now. I mean, I think we've only scratched the surface of the stories you could tell. I guess we should save some for the book, but like you've worked What's like the biggest pinch me moment of your career besides the Saltburn thing? Like cuz like I just mentioned, you've worked with Grandmaster Flash, you were instrumental in Laura Rizz career, you had, you know, I'm sure you played a lot of crazy festivals, you had a science fiction musical. You've done a lot of cool [ __ ] What's like the biggest like holy [ __ ] I can't believe that was my life?

Well, I I um I got I was I think it was when I got to open up for um Morrissey. I was like, "Dude, this is like I I'm going to die." Like I will lit I'm going to die because you know, I was like a little like 16-year-old emo kid listening to the Smiths murder, you know, like just like I'm crying and like you know, like and that was crazy. It's Serbia. It was in Serbia and like Morrissey and I'm like, "What what is even happening?"

Yeah.

And I really don't remember much from that day except for the fact that I was DJing and I remember I forgot to paint my nails and the Jumbotron kept showing my hand and I was like and I was so and I was like Morrissey Morrissey. Like I couldn't even be present. I was just like in love with Morrissey, you know. So that was something special. And then working with Grandmaster Flash was also a pinch-me moment cuz I was like this is like the godfather of hip-hop. I was so nervous and his studio was like in his kitchen and um or or sorry, below his kitchen.

So you have to walk through the kitchen and it was just like supplements everywhere and I don't know if you've ever seen it, but like in real life he's like he doesn't age. Like he looks so he's very

He is recognizable.

Yeah, he's very healthy. So it's like all his supplements and I was like, "I can't believe I'm in Grandmaster Flash's kitchen and like what am I doing here?"

How did the Morrissey fans in Serbia like how did your set go over with them? I'm trying to even picture how that bill even happened.

I don't I don't I don't even remember. I remember it was like thousands of people and I I sort of like really sort of like I think they liked it, but I was really just like not there. And it's funny cuz normally I'm really there when I perform, but I was really nervous and excited and yeah.

That's that was not the answer I was expecting, but I will accept that answer. That's pretty great. You saw how I reacted when you said that.

Yeah, yeah.

Like god, the odds. I don't know what year that was, but the odds, they were very random.

Yeah, they were random. That was so cool. You'd do like random shows like that don't make sense, you know? It was cool.

But it all eventually made sense. Yeah. So we got the memoir, the science fiction musical revival, the electroclash musical, the magnum opus album that you said is going to be in the fall.

Yeah.

And you're going on tour with Lords of Acid and Miss Neon very soon.

Uh anything else you got going on? That you want to

Well, uh no, that that

It's a lot.

That's a lot. Yeah, just yeah, just trying to take care of myself, take care of my daughter, I you know, like

How old is your daughter now?

She's 14.

How does she feel about all this?

I mean, she loves it, but also she's 14, so it's also somewhat cringe. Like, you know, even coming over here, you guys, there's a Chipotle like right near her, and um she was like, "That's an embarrassing outfit for Chipotle." And I'm like, "Okay, well, that's going to be the name of my new record."

Or we can get you an endorsement deal.

Too embarrassing for Chipotle.

you an endorsement deal with Chipotle and make it happen. I disagree with your daughter. I mean, I I kind of I'm of the mindset of when in doubt, always overdress. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

I know. No, she's amazing, and we're really tight, and I love her so much, and she's a musician herself. She's like so talented and has a little record on Spotify all about like how how middle school sucks, which is amazing.

It's true.

So her name is Siren Ortega, and she's on Spotify, and she's got 40 monthly listeners, which is amazing.

Did you Did you produce her music, or does she do it herself?

I I sort of like uh she doesn't really let me. Like, you've to understand the mom like doesn't get to do anything. So she Yeah, I'm like, "Do you want me to No. Do you want me to uh No." So I I helped her a little in that like I got her a studio, and I just kind of let kept myself quiet, but then she does her own stuff on GarageBand. That's like really good and yeah.

That's so cool. Yeah, you're you're you're not just a mom, you're a cool mom. And I I'm sure she realizes that.

Yeah, I think she does, yeah.

That's awesome. Well, you're the coolest. It was so I was so excited you were coming here.

Thank you.

And I'm so excited for for everything that's happening for you and everything that comes next and I'm yeah, I will read the hell out of that book when it comes out.

Aw, thank you. I want to read yours.

Awesome.

Yeah, thanks. Great interview.

Thank you.

Thanks everybody.

Bye.