Diva Divo - Dance Magazine

That decision has made a world of difference for the club scene. The classically trained, self-described “child of the ‘80s” (she counts herself as a major Madonna fan, for one) would go on to be a maverick force in dance music. She gained early notoriety for being the first female DJ to combine her sets with her own live vocals; in that regard, she remains one of a small handful of double-threat DJs. She also garnered fans as a trailblazer in the new sound of vocal House: over the last few years, artists like Colette, Kaskade and Andy Caldwell have popularized a distinct brand of electronic music, synthesizing mid-tempo grooves (formerly the domain of instrumental, martini-lounge muzak) with melodic vocals and hooky choruses. In short, these DJs, producers and songwriters have imbued personality where there was only form, and warm humanness where there was only cold, technological production.

“When you have lyrics that you really enjoy, it makes you feel more connected to a song,” Colette explains. “We all love driving in our car and singing at the top of our lungs to a song we love on the radio. Now, you can go to a club and when a song comes on that someone really likes, they all can actually sing along to it!”

Push certainly gives clubgoers a reason to shout. Influenced by the trippy, dippy pop sound of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the record is an energetic departure from Hypnotized. “I’ve been listening to Deee-Lite’s first album,” laughs Colette. “I know it’s not new or anything [World Clique was released in 1990], but that has found its way back into my life and was really inspiring to me when I was working on Push.” For lyrical inspiration, Colette stuck to familiar territory: “Most of the songs are relationship-based, but I like to have the subject matter change so it’s not a whole album of breakup songs, or a whole album of ‘I love you’ songs,” she says. “I really took a lot of ideas from my friends and the relationships they were going through. The first single [“About Us”] was inspired by one of my friends and a challenging relationship she was going through.”

Another challenge, and another example of Colette taking her work to the next level, is the introduction of a live band during five shows of her Push promotional tour. Fans in San Francisco, Chicago, New York and San Diego will have the chance to see Colette perform with members of the production teams Home & Garden and Angelhouse. “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time,” Colette says of touring with a live band. “It’s something I’m really excited about… but really nervous about!”

Still, nerves aside, it’s nice to see an established club star give herself that extra little Push.

COLETTE ON:

The challenge of simultaneous spinning and singing:

“It’s never really been challenging for me, because I’ve been singing since I was a little girl. Initially, when I started, DJing was the challenge for me. That was 12 years ago and it’s been some time now, but I really remember being self-conscious about DJing in front of people. Even though singing is also very personal, and can be challenging depending on the environment, I never felt as nervous about that. DJing was my first hurdle, and once I got comfortable with that it seemed really natural to do the two things together.”

Her hometown of Chicago:

“If I had grown up in any other city, I really don’t know what I’d be doing today. I think that had such a huge impact on me, I was so lucky. I was 14 or 15 going to these parties where Mark Farina was DJing… I just realized how unique they were at the time. As I got a little bit older, Chicago had all these amazing clubs, producers and singers all in once city. It was a lot to take in and a lot to be influenced by.”

The songwriting process:

“I worked with a lot of different people on both records, and usually have people who send me instrumentals: basic tracks before anyone gets too deep into any production. I try to write it from there, take down a basic idea and go into the studio. Then we finish writing the song and record everything… that’s usually how my songs are made.”

Being married to a burgeoning musician:

“I think it’s actually really nice. We’re both really understanding of each other’s schedules. He makes rock music so it’s very different from what I make. I think it’s nice, having someone who’s not totally involved in your genre but can listen to your music. Then you can sort of relate to each other as musicians and still get a good reaction from someone who does something completely different from you. It’s great!”

Her most memorable performance:

“I tend to think Coachella last year was one of those memorable moments. I’ve done a lot of really big festivals in other parts of the world, which are always amazing. But to play at Coachella with so many other amazing DJs, bands and singers… It was the same year that Madonna performed, as well, and it was just incredible. 5,000 people in this tent that I was playing and it was like 100 degrees, so overwhelmingly hot. But no one left! Everyone was so happy, it was just a really great time. And it was the loudest sound system… it was incredible!”

Being a DIVA:

“I don’t really consider myself a Diva. I do work really hard and I do want things to be set up correctly so shows are the best for everybody. For the most part, I just really love performing. Who knows, maybe as I get older I’ll be more demanding… but I’m not there yet! My main concern is always with the sound, and how equipment is set up to make it the best for everybody.”