In the Pink

Telling it straight
Her latest album, I’m Not Dead, released earlier this year, cemented her reputation as one of the most diverse and individual pop stars around. The albums runs the gamut, from anthemic pop songs and power-pop ballads to swaggering blues tracks, while the lyrics examining everything, from the personal (drug addiction, peer pressure, loneliness) to the political (poverty, war, collective apathy). Never one to run away from controversy, Pink has always been outspoken about her pet hates and passions. In an open letter to Black Book magazine last year, she chastised Vogue editor Anna Wintour for promoting fur, while her recent single, Stupid Girls, gleefully ridiculed certain celebrities and ‘It’ girls for acting dumb and selling their bodies as commodities.

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SARAH-JANE: So you’re on tour.
PINK: Yes, and I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had in my whole life. The crowds have been wild and every night’s been more psychotic than the one before. I can’t wait to get to Europe – my fan base there is wild.
SJ: Your UK fans are waiting with bated breath. What can we expect when you play here?
P: I’ll be playing songs from all my albums with a few covers and b-sides thrown in. The song I’m enjoying playing the most is probably Dear Mr President. Everywhere we’ve played, the crowds have gone crazy for it. It’s not just that a lot of Americans feel Bush has cheated in the last election, its about bigger issues, like his thoughts on gay marriage and response to the New Orleans tragedy. If I hadn’t written it, I would definitely do a cover of it.
SJ: There are rumours on the internet that you’ve just filmed some scenes for a new horror movie.
P: Yeah, I had a great time. The movie’s called Catacombs and its based on the catacombs underneath the Left Bank in Paris. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the story, but there’s supposed to be three million bodies down there from the 1780s. they didn’t have anywhere to put them after the plague, so, instead of letting them pile up in the streets, they started throwing them underground. Anyway, the film’s a true story about these kids that started hosting illegal parties down there. As you can imagine, all kinds of horrible things start to happen. It’s scary as hell, but its more of a psychological thriller than a cheap slasher movie.
SJ: Is the siren of Hollywood ringing in your ears?
P: I really enjoyed doing Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle but I’m much more interested in doing dark or arty independent movies than big blockbusters. Tarantino and Scorsese are both fantastic, but my dream director would be Clint Eastwood. He doesn’t rush scenes to get to the action; he takes his time and develops his characters and scenarios. Million Dollar Baby is just incredible.

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SJ: When you were a child, did you always know you wanted to be a singer?
P: Yeah, it’s the only thing I ever really knew.
SJ: What were the first records that blew you away?
P: The first record I broke from playing to much was The Mamas and The Papas. The first record I brought was Mary J Blige’s debut album. Since then, I’ve acquired a taste for everything from rock and roll to funk and hip-hop.
SJ: Which bands or artists really rock you’re boat?
P: There are lots of musicians I admire and respect but none I feel I have any parallels with, I guess because there are few musicians as confused as me musically! A lot of people find their sound and stick to it, but I’ve never liked the idea of repeating myself. The fact that I’m hard to categorise is one of my biggest assets.
SJ: Linda Perry co-wrote and produced several tracks on Missundaztood. What was she like to work with?
P: It was like thunder and lightening coming together in a storm. I heard stories of what she was like to work with, but didn’t know what a force she was until we were in the studio together. She was everything I thought she’d be: incredibly stubborn and incredibly talented.
SJ: We’ve heard that she has a fetish for lap-dancing and pole-dancing clubs. Is that right?
P: Where did you hear that? I thought only her friends and colleagues knew that. Yeah, we took each other a couple of times.
SJ: You worked with folk duo The Indigo Girls on the new album.
P: I’ve been a fan of their music forever. I used to sing a cover of Closer To Fine at the talent shows I entered. Anyway, I’d been in the studio for a few days, trying to record Dear Mr President, when I realised there was still something missing. It occurred to me I should get Amy and Emily to sing on it. I’d never spoke to them before, but I knew they wouldn’t be afraid to tackle the subject matter because of who they are and what they stand for.
SJ: They have a reputation for being lovely to work with.
P: They were awesome. We talked about music and politics a bit, then I flew to Atlanta a few days later. I was a little bit nervous about meeting them, but I’ve been fortunate that everyone I’ve asked to collaborate with me so far has said yes. I can be very convincing if I want something!
SJ: We’re sure you can. Any other musicians or producers you’d love to hook up with?
P: I never think about things like that until its time to record a new album. For some reason, I’m not very good at making plans. Luckily, whenever I’m starting work on a new record the universe opens up and things fall into my lap. I don’t write songs unless I’m in the studio, but I write a lot of poetry and make a lot of lists.
SJ: Do some of the lists become poems?
P: Yeah, they do.

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SJ: You and Brody Dalle from The Distillers are probably the most tattooed ladies in rock. When did your addiction to the needle and ink begin?
P: I can’t remember a time I wasn’t adorning my body in some way or another. I have about 20 tattoos now, and each one marks a different period in my life.
SJ: I’m Not Dead is your most personal and reflective album to date. What inspired the title track?
P: Just life and the whole aspect of growing, changing and developing different relationships. Listening to the lyrics, I think its my most subtle song. I’m usually very blunt, but that track in particular is very thoughtful and poetic.
SJ: On tracks like Nobody Knows and Conversations With My 13-Year-Old-Self, it sounds like you’ve found inner peace.
P: Y’know, there’s no such thing as complete inner peace. You keep searching and when you stop, you die. Having said that, I’m more at peace with myself then I was ten or 15 years ago. Back then, I had no idea about mortality or responsibility. I just wanted to take drugs and go dancing every night.
SJ: How have you managed to avoid becoming yet another casualty of the celebrity and fame game?
P: I have a bulldog sleeping, snorting and farting at my feet and he keeps me incredibly grounded. I don’t live the whole celebrity lifestyle, either. When I’m not touring or recording, I read a lot of books and chill out on the beach. It doesn’t sound very exciting, but spending large amounts of time sitting and staring at the ocean really helps me unwind.
SJ: You have a massive female fan base – unsurprising, given that you’re one of the rare few who stick to their image as a kick ass, feisty woman. Did you spend your nascent years surrounded by strong women?
P: No, not any. I looked up to Madonna and Janis Joplin, but the only strong women around me were probably my guidance counsellors. Some of them were pretty amazing; at one point, I spent more time with them than in class. They really listened to me and tried to give me confidence about myself and life. Any other strength I have stems from being my father’s daughter. He’s a tough, sarcastic dude who takes no $h!t from anyone.
SJ: Any other role models?
P: No, I was kind of a loner, really. The one person I so admired was the 85-year-old woman who lived across the street from me and rescued animals. I thought she was great and wanted to be like her when I grew up.
SJ: Is that when you became interested in animal rights?
P: More or less. I’ve always been around animals and always hated the idea of them suffering. I’m not naïve enough to think I can bring the cosmetic industry or the fur trade to a halt, but by speaking out about some of their practices I can reach a large audience. Some of those people might make a conscious decision to not advocate or promote the companies involved.
SJ: You’ve just launched a global petition campaign called Kick The (KFC) Bucket. What can you tell us about it?
P: It’s a campaign about KFC’s practices. The way they treat their chicken’s is completely inhumane, and people need to be aware what it is they’re supporting when they eat there. Basically, it’s all about educating people so they can make their own choices about who and what they want to support.
SJ: Why do you think you have such a strong gay and lesbian following?
P: I’ve been asked this a couple of times recently. Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe because I’m a smart ass and don’t really care for stereotypes and prejudices, or maybe people can tell I’m open minded and see everyone as individuals. All I know is,, I’ve always identified with people who struggle and they’ve always seemed to identify with me.
SJ: We know you married your long-term beau, Carey Hart, last year, but have you had sexual relationships with women in the past?
P: I don’t like to talk about my private life too much, but I have, yeah. My first girlfriend actually really f***ed my head up – she left me for my brother. I was only 14 at the time, but I still find it pretty gross. I could have understood her running off with a friend or classmate, but to go from kissing me to kissing my brother? Ugh.
SJ: How old were you when you first realised you were attracted to women?
P: The first time I really noticed another girl I was 12, and used to go dancing at my local gay club. It wasn’t the best club I’ve ever been to, but the atmosphere was fantastic. I remember just dancing for hours and feeling totally free.
SJ: What kind of ladies to you like?
P: I don’t have a specific type when it comes to men or women. They can be blonde, brunette, butch or femme. The main thing is whether or not they have a great personality and a sick sense of humour.
SJ: Do you identify as bisexual or queer?
P: I don’t like labels; they’re too easy. I’m just about good energy and good feelings. A lot of people need to split the world into heterosexuals and homosexuals, but I really believe that we’re all trisexual. The most interesting people I know are ones who refuse to categorise or define themselves by their desires.
SJ: Finally, any tips for our readers about becoming a better lover?
P: Pay attention and quit trying to get to the finish line so fast. Its all about the journey, not the destination. That sounds clichéd – but it’s a cliché for a reason!

:wub:

Love it to bits :wub: