Social distancing means that, sun or no sun, we’re not exactly heading to the beach with our friends this Bank Holiday Weekend. But that doesn’t mean we’re not in need of as many summer bangers as we can get. This week, we’re feeling ready to sunbathe – lockdown or no lockdown – thanks to Kim Petras.
Today sees the release of Malibu, a sublime piece of pop that’s giving us a tan on our sofas. For Kim, currently in Los Angeles, it’s a highlight amidst a flurry of Zoom calls and attempts to learn new things. ‘I’m very blessed’, she tells Grazia. ‘I can record and make music at home. I’ve been calling my friends a lot, drinking on Zoom calls with them, so I feel like I’m going out. And I’ve been playing Animal Crossing with my fans: they keep me busy and motivated. I always just want to make my fans proud, so that keeps me going.’
So connected is Kim with her fanbase that she has built genuine relationships with many of them, and depends on them for feedback and advice.
‘I have so many fans that have my phone number’, she explains. ‘I text with them about my single artworks and send them different options like, “Hey is this good?”. I have so many of my fans that I have real friendships with – it’s really cool.’ She has always listened to her fans, and uses their response to influence which singles she chooses from her albums. ‘It’s kind of like picking babies’, she adds.
Malibu is a perfect addition to a playlist compiled for those in need of release. Imagine driving down to the beach, running into the waves. Its release, Kim explains, was scheduled before the pandemic took hold, but she decided to continue with her plans. If anything, the world needs a summery pop number more than ever. ‘I feel like it’s the best time to drop an escapist pop song that you can listen to and forget about everything that is going on,’ she says. ‘It feels like a return to colour and return to pop. Songs like this are one of the reasons why I make music and also when I think I am at my best.’
Despite finding solace and comfort in friends and fans, it is a hard time to be an artist. Musicians are, in essence, freelancers. Gigs have been cancelled. Promo activity postponed. For Kim, among other things, a dream Coachella set was called into question. ‘Oh my god, I had my stage and everything ready,’ she says when I ask how that felt. ‘I would’ve had a live band, dancers, amazing custom outfits designed by somebody really special, who I adore. I was so depressed. But now it looks like it’s going to be a Halloween Coachella and since I have a Halloween album I’m very excited about that. We’re going to sing some Halloween songs at Coachella this year, I guess!’
The album in question, TURN OFF THE LIGHT, was classic Kim, laden with tricks and treats. Pure pop, with clever, artful twists and an unapologetic kitsch factor – who else has released a Halloween album? – it summarised who she is as an artist. Madonna is, she says, her ultimate icon, but she admires the lyrical genius of Marina and the Diamonds. Her unique grasp of style – she is hugely involved in the aesthetics of her look and her staging – is informed by a religious consumption of fashion shows, the European style instilled in her by her mother, and a love of film.
‘I was way too young to have been watching The Birds but one of the moments that stood out for me was Tippi Hedren in the light green suit and had coral lips’, she recalls. ‘That was just such a strong look. I also love Goldie Hawn in First Wives Club and Death Becomes Her, and Julia Roberts’ style. She was just so effortless and beautiful in Pretty Woman.’
With Malibu keeping fans sated for now, Kim has one eye on the present and one on establishing a longterm reputation that will keep her name in lights for decades. ‘I want to be one of the greats’, she explains. ‘That’s my goal – artistic greatness, writing great songs. Not just good, not just a hit but a great, masterpiece ass song! That’s the number one thing that I would love to do.’
Get in losers, we’re going to Malibu.
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