Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2010

Courtesy of Womb

Caroline “Miss Kittin” Herve was one of the icons of electroclash, that early noughties blend of techno and synth-pop which enjoyed a brief spurt of popularity in Europe and New York. Her collaborations with The Hacker (First Album), Felix Da Housecat (Kittenz And Thee Glitz) and Goldenboy (Rippin Kittin) are the stuff of legend: what self-respecting hipster didn’t wig out to the sounds of socialite anthem “Frank Sinatra” at some point? In the DJ booth, Grenoble-born Herve is known for tough sets that incorporate old-school rave and Detroit techno—and occasionally, her distinctive live vocals. She spoke with Metropolis via email in advance of her set at Shibuya’s Womb this month…

What were the successes and failures of the electroclash scene?
I barely realized there was “a scene,” because The Hacker and I had been on the road since, what, ’96—[we were] artistically close to people like I-F and Dopplereffekt, who the press never talked about. There was life before Fischerspooner! A major result of all the hype was it united electronic music with rock ’n ’roll and New Wave, worlds that had been separate since the birth of rave parties. Failures? An overdose of shit, as usual. Copycats, musicians living it for the lifestyle but without talent or meaning. But I didn’t give a f**k, I was back to DJing!

Your DJ sets are harder, with a more club-oriented edge…
Yes, if you want. I don’t know how to define myself. I just take care that people are still on the dancefloor, sometimes mixing strange stuff to keep me excited or to give a kick to the crowd.

How did you develop your vocal style?
By accident! Before, I could only talk, but my voice slowly grew through practice. Now I can really sing. My voice sounds quite childish, but that’s how it is. I started to sing over my sets the day I realized I was singing in my head while spinning.

Which do you prefer: producing or performing?
Production. Writing a track is like putting your heart on the table. Performing is just gymnastics: you can always fake it, learn dance steps, learn singing. I wish I could reach the point of only producing… to write songs for other artists, have my studio, and travel or perform only for fun—to hear my songs on the radio sung by other singers.

You’ve kept a highly personal website for years, before the current blogging boom…
Oh, not really… I always thought I was late and not giving enough, but I still insist that music is the first thing I expose—always—which is sometimes hard to understand for fans living in an image-driven world. That’s how I am, and that’s why they love me!

Describe your feelings and experiences of Tokyo.
It’s one of my favorite places in the world. I nearly got married there. I have my pilgrimage: go to the temple, meet my friends, learn more Japanese words, and walk, walk, walk for hours.

Womb
Black Disco. Techno, electro: DJs Miss Kittin and more. Nov 13, from 11pm, ¥4,000. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb.co.jp