Kelli Ali
Kelli Ali would make the perfect SuicideGirl. Not only does she have a ton of tattoos but she loves mushrooms and Takashi Miike movies. I got a chance to speak this former frontwoman of the Sneaker Pimps about her new solo album, Psychic Cat.
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Daniel Robert Epstein: What are you up to today?
Kelli Ali: Im in Birmingham with my family for the holidays. Its wonderful [laughs].
DRE:
I read youre not a huge fan of Birmingham.
KA:
Its not so bad now that I dont have to live there.
DRE:
Do you go back very often?
KA:
A few times a year and its changed a lot. It actually feels like a big city now. Its always been very industrial with not much else going on but now art and music is catching up there. Also people are so friendly here compared to London.
DRE:
On your labels website they describe your music as pop. I dont see it like that and I doubt you do as well.
KA:
Yeah youre right! Though sometimes I write pop songs. Pop to me is a big umbrella but as a writer I dont think of my music as being of solely one genre.
DRE:
How did you and [Psychic Cat producer] Dave McCracken hook up?
KA:
It was great because I met Dave a few years ago. We were going to work together but then he had to go off with Depeche Mode and I went to work with Rick Knowles on the Tigermouth album. Dave and I were really looking forward to working together which finally happened on Psychic Cat.
DRE:
Besides producing Dave also co-wrote a few songs and did keyboards.
KA:
It was very organic. It was just us bringing ideas to each other on the day of and just do them.
DRE:
How long did you two work on the album?
KA:
About a month. It was very intense because we didnt have enough cash to rent a regular studio so we did almost everything in his bedroom studio.
DRE:
You went from recording in the closet with the Sneaker Pimps to recording a solo album in someones bedroom.
KA:
It just gets better and better for me [laughs]. I write all the time and thats why the recording only took a month because I had a lot done beforehand. Ive got a little studio in my living room so I can bang ideas down all the time.
DRE:
Track four on Psychic Cat is named Home Honey Im High. Its an old saying and a great independent cartoon. What does that mean to you?
KA:
It was from the keyboard player, Tony O'Neil, who I dont work with anymore. He had a big drug history and hes from Los Angeles so whenever he came to visit he used to say Home Honey Im High which I thought was the funniest thing. I also wanted to capture the way youthful couples live today especially in London because most of my friends get smashed on a daily basis. Its me flipping off the conservative idea that a man and woman have to live together and be relatively sober.
DRE:
How about you and drugs?
KA:
I get high all the time! I love psychedelics like magic mushrooms. I never got into stimulants and other crap like that.
DRE:
Did you write any of the songs high?
KA:
Sure yeah. My partner and I wrote Voyeur high.
DRE:
Did you call the album Psychic Cat because your cat talks to you?
KA:
Oh definitely! Every time I hear the song Psychic Cat I get shivers.
DRE:
Have you ever had a bad trip?
KA:
Sure.
DRE:
Did it not make you want to stop tripping out?
KA:
I first dropped acid when I was 15. A bad trip is something you get used to when you take it every weekend. Also if youre with the right people and youre having a bad trip, it helps. I never put myself in a strange situation when Im tripping.
DRE:
Youve mentioned your partner a couple of times, whos that?
KA:
My cat.
DRE:
[laughs] I should have known.
KA:
We write and do a lot of drugs together.
DRE:
Whats your cats name?
KA:
Metso.
DRE:
Where does that name come from?
KA:
Its just the name he chose for himself.
DRE:
Do people always give you drugs when youre out?
KA:
I wish! In London you can get anything you want anywhere. If youre in the mood it just comes to you.
DRE:
My cat just jumped on my desk, give me a sec.
KA:
Thats so cool, whats his name?
DRE:
Dario.
KA:
How lovely.
DRE:
Ive had him for eight years and hes beautiful.
On the thanks part of your album you thank kids who refuse to accept the mundane. Do you think there is as many of those kids as there used to be?
On the thanks part of your album you thank kids who refuse to accept the mundane. Do you think there is as many of those kids as there used to be?
KA:
I hope so. I travel a lot and I still think there are a lot of cool kids. I dont think there are more than there used to be because I think that group always stays about the same size.
DRE:
Ill believe you.
KA:
Youre not convinced?
DRE:
You know how it is sometimes, younger people can annoy you.
KA:
How old are you?
DRE:
Im 29 and a half.
KA:
Youre so young to be thinking like that.
DRE:
Im a cynic. I live in America and Paris Hilton is on the TV all the time.
KA:
Then you need to come out with us. Well show you where the cool kids are.
DRE:
Have you heard of SuicideGirls?
KA:
Sure!
DRE:
You have tattoos, dont you?
KA:
I sure do. Sometimes when were playing in London well hit the Goth clubs. I love the vampire horror rock and roll vibe. Its a lot of fun.
DRE:
Have you gotten any new tattoos lately?
KA:
I havent simply because the next one I want is going to be a big traditional Yakuza style symbol on my back. I want to go to Japan to get it done and to do that I need to sell a million records.
DRE:
Have you toured much for this album yet?
KA:
A little bit. Weve been doing it independently because were finding that a lot of promoters in London arent really interested in putting live bands on as much. So weve been doing it ourselves which is really tough because its all a scam.
DRE:
From the little I know of the London music scene it seems like your music would fit in well.
KA:
Well youre not wrong but the scene is much more rock and roll now. Although London is a good little hub for music, the more commercial aspect is much more present now. Its a struggle to get into the scene now.
DRE:
How did you hook up with your label, One Little Indian?
KA:
When I was with the Sneaker Pimps we were signed to a sub label of One Little Indian. When we split One Little Indian asked if I wanted to deal with them. Now Ive got a really good relationship with them and I have last word on just about everything.
DRE:
Did you leave the Pimps amicably?
KA:
First I was devastated because I didnt know it was coming. I felt like I was a key member of the group but now that I look back, thank god. My musical journey wouldnt have been as interesting if I hadnt been with them then gone on to my own music.
DRE:
I read you saw Evil Dead at age 11.
KA:
Yeah youve been looking at my website. I was so lucky to be exposed to that stuff lately.
DRE:
Have you seen any good movies lately?
KA:
Yeah I saw Takashi Miikes Gozu. Have you seen it?
DRE:
Yes there was a press screening for it at 10 am! I wouldnt recommend seeing that movie that early in the morning. I was lucky enough to get to interview him. Howd you like that last scene in Gozu?
KA:
It was amazing! I was smiling from cheek to cheek. How was Miike in person?
DRE:
He was really nice but he doesnt speak much English at all.
KA:
Thats so great. Have you seen Audition yet?
DRE:
Yes I have and Im forever scarred. He actually said that he made the first hour of Audition boring on purpose to freak people out with the last half hour.
KA:
If you think Gozu was crazy then youll love Visitor Q. Youve got to go see that.
DRE:
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