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 k.d. lang has a brand new album out and is on her way to Australia. She spoke with Katrina Fox.
The songs on the new album are all very chilled and gentle. How do they reflect where you’re at today?
It’s really hard for me to know the difference between me and my music at this point. I wouldn’t say it reflects my whole personality because sometimes I’m not relaxed and angelical, but it’s the music I wrote and I produced it, so it’s the way I hear and play music. I guess it’s a piece of me.
It seems like a peaceful album.
Yeah it is.
I’d like to ask about the inspiration behind two songs: ‘Jealous Dog’ and ‘Flame of the Uninspired’.
Flame of the Uninspired is looking at my relationship with songwriting and art. There’s this perception that unhappiness and chaos is a good time to write music and I’m trying to break those habits and try to write in a less destructive way of creating. Jealous dog is another look at the self and being envious of other people’s situations and being affected by judgement and not letting that bother you, and relishing every moment of life and being confident about who you are.
I read that you currently live in a wood-and-stone cabin just off Mulholland Drive in LA, where the actor Rock Hudson and his lover Tab Hunter hooked up for gay trysts. Did you choose the place because of this?
[laughing] No, I didn’t know that till later!
Tell me about your girlfriend – how did you meet?
We met six years ago. I met her through Buddhism.
So you’re into Buddhism?
Yes. It’s a lifelong commitment to Buddhism. I’ve always felt the association to the philosophy. Seven years ago I met my Buddhist Tibetan lama who’s become my teacher so it’s shifted from liking Buddhims to being a Buddhist practitioner which is a big difference.
You’re also a great advocate for animals…?
I’m an animal rights activist. It’s something I’ve felt since a young kid; I felt a great love for animals, a great kinship with animals.
Are you vegetarian?
Yes.
How did you feel being ostracised by the country community because of the anti-meat ad you did with PETA and what was the reaction when you came out as a lesbian?
The anti-meat [thing] came first so by the time I came out as a lesbian people were tired of the controversy of k.d lang so it was good fortune the chronological order.
What animals live with you at the moment?
Two dogs at the moment. I’m a big dog lover.
What are your thoughts on the notion that gay rights, women’s rights, animal rights are all interconnected?
Sure. It’s about compassion and of course those are three things that I am so they’re the ones that affect me the most.
In a recent UK interview you said: “It’s crazy for the gay community to let itself be defined by its sexual preferences.” What do you mean?
I’m not sure. It may have been taken out of context but what I probably meant was that it’s crazy for the gay community to be defined by their sexual preferences – being completely identifying with sexual preference only and not looking beyond that.
How do you feel about labels, whether gay, lesbian or butch or femme? What about some of the newer descriptors such as boi, pansexual and so on?
I use them from time to time myself but as with music I feel that labels can be very destructive if used the wrong way. In the long run they’re confining and stereotyping so I think probably they’re not a healthy thing to have.
What are your thoughts on gay marriage?
Well, that’s pertinent to the previous question of labels. When you start defining people by gay, straight, freaky or conservative you start polarising people and I think that’s something not to get into the habit of but we should look for commonality. I think marriage – the social aspect of it – is kind of [like] we’re tyring to assimilate into something established by Christian values which doesn’t really apply to our culture but at the same time there’s no question that we should have the same rights as anyone else – it’s a very complex issue.
What kind of activism do you do?
Activism for me is basically living my life. I do a lot of fundraisers for AIDS issues and animals but they stem from my lifestyle.
Any thoughts on who you’d like to see become president of the US? Hillary or Obama?
I don’t really care who it is as long as it’s a Democrat! Well actually that in itself is polarising. Maybe I should take that back and say the best thing is to have a leader who believes in peace and equal rights and human rights.
What did you get from working with Tony Bennett?
It’s an amazing friendship we have. He’s an extraordinarily fun man and having a friend so much my elder has been to my benefit.
When you’re not touring or recording, what does your life consist of?
I’m painting, I do lots of Buddhist activity – we’re building a monastery at the moment. And gardening, that sort of thing.
According to some, power lesbians are taking over Hollywood, from Ellen Degeneres to heads of TV networks. How much if at all are you part of this celebrity lesbian clique?
[laughs] I don’t even know about it, that’s how much I’m a part of it!
Your album Invincible Summer was inspired by your relationship with Leisha Hailey, who’s found fame in The L Word. Do you watch the show, and what do you think of it?
I’ve never seen the show.
Never? Why?
I don’t have that channel.
Has being an out lesbian been good for your career or has it impacted it negatively?
Probably both. It’s something I take a lot of pride in, being able to give access to a culture that a lot of people felt afraid of. For the gay and lesbian community to have a campaigner in their corner was the most responsible thing I could have done at the time. On the negative side, advertisers maybe … it can impact radio play perhaps.
How do you feel about the whole fame game? Do you like being in the spotlight or do you prefer being private?
It goes in waves and you have to appreciate both. To maintain being in the limelight is a full-time job and takes a lot of time, energy and money and takes 100 per cent self focus so I like both. I take it in my stride. When I do have success it’s wonderful but it never comes without a lot of sacrifice and energy. I love where I am now which is maintaining my career, having the good fortune in putting out records on a good label, talking to people like you and making a pretty good living.
Do women still throw their knickers on stage when you’re performing?
That one’s kind of a thing of the past.
How would you feel if they did?
Well you know it’s kind of funny but the ’80s and ’90s era of sexual overdrive is kind of boring for me now. I tend to lean more towards the spiritual aspect to make people happy.
Finally, you’re touring Australia in April/May. Can you say something about the show.
It’s focused on Watershed but will be rounded out with back catalogue stuff.
Thanks for talking with me.
Thank you. I really love Australia and I’m looking forward to coming over there and performing.
Photo: Jeri Heiden
Watershed is out now through Warner Music.
For details of k.d. lang: The Watershed Tour, visit www.kdlang.com
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