Also coming up is a return to her jazz music roots: Straight Up with a Twist. Also scheduled for a 2007 release, it’s Kristine’s first double-disc album. The first half revisits classic hits (“Save My Soul,” “Some Lovin’” and more), introduces new material, and presents them all as jazz and bossa nova tunes. For those hesitant to totally leave the electronic element behind, disc two uses a downtempo “chillout” approach. It’s Kristine’s way of fulfilling her need for artistic change and exploration, while still satisfying her core dance fans.
The loyalty Kristine imparts to her fans stems, in part, from the support and dedication she received during her own two-year struggle with leukemia. It was a battle that nearly claimed her life, but also one that deepened her relationship with her supporters. “They came to the forefront when I had leukemia,” she tells me. “They raised money for leukemia… What I love about my fans is that most of them are very socially conscious. That has been my greatest blessing of all.” Her battle, and the support she received, only served to reinforce her desire to give back to the greater community. “For the greater good of the world, we can’t just think of ourselves anymore. That time has come and passed. We’re part of the family of Man, and we’ve got to take care of the circle of life.”
Kristine will continue to spread her messages of hope and self-empowerment through her music, her HRC work, and of course, her ability to dominate a dance floor. “You can talk about serious issues, but if you put it to 130 beats per minute, people are more apt to get out there,” she says of using dance music as a vehicle to social change. “Then they start dancing to it… they listen to the lyrics… and they go, ‘oh! That’s a cool story, and I can apply that to my life!’”
Indeed, she suggests that maybe, just maybe, it’s the rest of the world that should learn something from the gay club scene; When I inform her that some straight pals will be joining me for her gig that evening (it’s being hosted by a local gay club), she’s positively aglow: “I love it!” she squeals. “They need to get out more, those straight people. Make them have fun! They’re all so tortured: out getting drunk at bars, falling over the bar stools… it’s like, ‘come out and dance! Lighten up a little bit!’”
And then, the big platform shoe is suddenly, unequivocally on the other foot:
“Don’t you feel bad for them??”
Keeping her Miss Washington and Miss America fame under wraps:
“People immediately think: airhead, ditzy, no talent, got there on her looks. They don’t take you seriously as a credible musician, so I never mentioned it. The first time I went for a job doing big band songs, the head of the musicians union at the time was like, “you’re beautiful.” I told him, “I’m a former Miss Washington.” He said, “Please don’t say that to the band, because they’ll think I hired you because you’re pretty. They’ll treat you like an airhead, like a piece of jewelry. Don’t mention it.” That stuck with me. I’ll never forget it.”
Dance as her musical passion:
“I’m a really high energy person. I’m hyper as all get-out. I get in my car in the morning and I put on BPM 81 [the XM radio dance station]…. I think it’s a very healthy way for people to start the day!”
The superficiality:
“LA is great. I go there and record a lot. But I don’t know… there’s something about it that’s so plastic, it freaks me out. I don’t want my kids to turn into Plastic People.
Learning the art of performance… from Drag Queens:
“They had a drag show [in Las Vegas] called Boylesque. I would go up there and study the drag queens. How they put on th
eir fake eyelashes, the way they would roll up the socks and put them in their boobs… There was one drag queen named Bubbles, and he would tell me all his secrets, like why he was shading his face. And I’d say, ‘okay, I’m going to put on more makeup!’”
Why she uses music to inspire people:
“I’ve had a lot of friends who suffered from AIDS and were living with AIDS. And I’ve watched a lot of suffering in show business: broken dreams, being in Vegas, watching lonely people throw money into the slot machines wanting to be where other people where at, befriending people in the casinos who had lost loved ones… I’ve always stayed very connected to my audience and I’ve learned a lot from them. I weave their stories into my songs.”
The dangers of online dating:
“Manhunt and all those websites… when they first came out I think everyone was so excited, and thought it was a way for people to create a greater sense of community. But I think it’s isolated us more. People go home and get on their computer, and they don’t go out. I think dancing is a great social outlet. I hope people will get off their computer for a while and get their booty out there dancing. It helps to sustain a community. Get on the dance floor and move your body!”
