Princess Superstar (aka Concetta Kirshner) hails from New York City. Her new album, Is, features Kool Keith, Bahamadia, Beth Orton and Mr. Len amongst others.
Current fixations:
I wish it weren't so, but the news. Also: The Onion, The Simpsons, Missy Elliot, sneakers with roller skates on them, Mac lip gloss (the pink one called "underage").
Mind-altering work of art:
That song, "There's Some Hoes in this House."
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Must have been in Montreal, in '96 actually, when I had to play with a scary punk rock band. The audience threw stuff at me because I was rhyming. From then on I decided to be more punk rock in my approach to performing and now I crowd surf and do weird shit.
What has been your career high and low?
Everything about my career has been a high, even the lows: because if you are doing something you love, you take everything in stride. But working on this new album has definitely been a high especially with Beth Orton who is brilliant!
What should everyone shut up about?
That I am the female Eminem.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
The citizens of Afghanistan.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I like that I am totally committed to my music and took the long hard road to success (not signing with a major, doing a label by myself). I also hate this about me, I am always broke and without a boyfriend!
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
The band/bed comparison is really right on, though not in a sexual way being in a band is really like being married. I have changed my band members over the years because they 1) had bad attitudes and complained all the time; 2) weren't good enough musicians; 3) weren't cute enough.
When I think of Canada I think:
Those potato chips that come in ketchup flavour; my first record (released on an indie out of Windsor); how excellent the crowds are at shows; getting busted trying to come play without working papers.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Coffee, playing with my two birds, and talking incessantly on the cell phone.
How do you spoil yourself?
I just look in the mirror baby.
What was your most memorable day job?
In high school, a bad babysitter of course.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Working for the World Health Organization or the Red Cross in a foreign country.
What is your greatest fear?
Dying in a war.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
X-ray vision to see what people really want for themselves, and then to be able to help them get it.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
"Whole Lotta Love" by Zeppelin; laughing hysterically with someone; a mod suit on a boy.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes. Music lasts forever.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Once I was at a fancy party and Donald Trump was there. I walked right up to him and pretended I knew him, I was like "Yo Donald what's up, how you doin'?" like all slanged out and we actually had a conversation. I don't even remember what it was about because the whole time I was dying laughing. I was also drunk.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
David Bowie, because I want to him to do a hip-hop beat for me. I would serve him macaroni and cheese because that's my favourite food.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
My mom is my biggest fan. She drives around in a jeep listening to my records, so, nothing else!
Current fixations:
I wish it weren't so, but the news. Also: The Onion, The Simpsons, Missy Elliot, sneakers with roller skates on them, Mac lip gloss (the pink one called "underage").
Mind-altering work of art:
That song, "There's Some Hoes in this House."
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
Must have been in Montreal, in '96 actually, when I had to play with a scary punk rock band. The audience threw stuff at me because I was rhyming. From then on I decided to be more punk rock in my approach to performing and now I crowd surf and do weird shit.
What has been your career high and low?
Everything about my career has been a high, even the lows: because if you are doing something you love, you take everything in stride. But working on this new album has definitely been a high especially with Beth Orton who is brilliant!
What should everyone shut up about?
That I am the female Eminem.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
The citizens of Afghanistan.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I like that I am totally committed to my music and took the long hard road to success (not signing with a major, doing a label by myself). I also hate this about me, I am always broke and without a boyfriend!
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
The band/bed comparison is really right on, though not in a sexual way being in a band is really like being married. I have changed my band members over the years because they 1) had bad attitudes and complained all the time; 2) weren't good enough musicians; 3) weren't cute enough.
When I think of Canada I think:
Those potato chips that come in ketchup flavour; my first record (released on an indie out of Windsor); how excellent the crowds are at shows; getting busted trying to come play without working papers.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Coffee, playing with my two birds, and talking incessantly on the cell phone.
How do you spoil yourself?
I just look in the mirror baby.
What was your most memorable day job?
In high school, a bad babysitter of course.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
Working for the World Health Organization or the Red Cross in a foreign country.
What is your greatest fear?
Dying in a war.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
X-ray vision to see what people really want for themselves, and then to be able to help them get it.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
"Whole Lotta Love" by Zeppelin; laughing hysterically with someone; a mod suit on a boy.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Yes. Music lasts forever.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
Once I was at a fancy party and Donald Trump was there. I walked right up to him and pretended I knew him, I was like "Yo Donald what's up, how you doin'?" like all slanged out and we actually had a conversation. I don't even remember what it was about because the whole time I was dying laughing. I was also drunk.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
David Bowie, because I want to him to do a hip-hop beat for me. I would serve him macaroni and cheese because that's my favourite food.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
My mom is my biggest fan. She drives around in a jeep listening to my records, so, nothing else!
