Michigan import Kristin Dennis knows how to have a good time. Cheerful, slight, and seemingly comfortable anywhere she goes, Dennis wears many hats. You could categorize her as a classically trained pianist, a beloved Royale employee, a musical saw novice, or a harvester of eyeballs (no, seriously). But do yourself a favor and just call her a party starter. Annie and Jess sat down with Dennis recently to discuss her solo electronic endeavor, Née:

IWTAS: First off, tell us the about the origin of the name of your current project – Née.

KD: It’s a French word. I came across it while on a Wikipedia “romp”, wherein I research things for hours and sort of dovetail all over the place. I came across an article about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It was [titled] Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, née Jacqueline Bovier. And the French word, at least as I understand it, means “to be born”, or “born as”. At the time I was making the record, I felt like I was coming out from a past self. I liked “Née” because it was short and simple – even though the accent mark kind of dicks me over for flyers [laughs]. Overall, I was returning to the idea of who I was since birth – coming back around to that person, that character.

IWTAS: You mentioned a record. What music have you recorded thus far?

KD: I lived in Oregon for a while, and we had a recording studio in our house. During that time, I recorded and engineered a five song EP. [David] Beeman mixed it, and this great sound guy, Chris Colbert (who works with the Walkmen) mastered it. This was from about January to March of 2010. It was really neat; I had these songs, the first that I’d written in this [electronic] style, and handed them off to really talented people. David and I did a lot of tone engineering and re-amping things.

IWTAS: You seem to have created a pretty unique sound.

KD: Yeah, so I was driving around a lot for my job, and the only radio station I could get in my car was a hip-hop and R&B station. I like a lot about that type of music, but the big thing I didn’t enjoy was how much of it sounded really “computer-y” and fake. So during the mixing process of my own EP, we ran sounds through vintage amps and tubes, one and a half inch reel-to-reels, etc.

IWTAS: You’re originally from Michigan. How did you end up living and making music in St. Louis?

KD: I moved here after college. Now, I work in the biotech industry in the realm of organ and tissue donation. When someone dies, and they’re an organ donor, I drive to where the body is within about six to twelve hours of death. Then, we do a surgery where we remove the corneas so they can be prepped for transplant.

IWTAS: So it’s a scientific, fact-based job. How is it that you’re an artistic, creative person working in a field like that? What’s it like to inhabit both of those worlds? Is there any crossover?

KD: People always ask me that. My entire life, I’ve been split between art and science – I’m equally passionate about both. Right now I’m working to find a balance because they’re mutually exclusive in time management ways. Some of my lyrics are a little gory…or more so, they deal with mortality – the physicality of being human. I see death all the time, and while it doesn’t bother me anymore, I definitely internalize it.

IWTAS: Even so, your songs are pretty upbeat!

KD: This is the first time I’ve really played pop music. Like, my favorite artist was/is Elliot Smith. I know now that I love that kind of music, but it really fucking depresses me to make it [laughs].

IWTAS: What should we expect from you on Saturday?

KD: Well, the last couple of shows I’ve played have been completely by myself – using samples, mixing my vocals live and what not. This time, I’ve very adamant about not having a computer involved at all. I’ve been working with Mic Boshans recently, and he’ll be playing drums with me that night, we hope. I believe Beth [Bombara] will be playing with me on a song, too. You know, doing some singin’ with some girl voices.

IWTAS: Sounds like it’ll be quite the night of lady music.

KD: Yeah! It’s gonna be like Vagina Zone. [Pauses] Oh god, no one should ever interview me. I say the weirdest shit.

IWTAS: SO, are you looking to play out more in the coming months?

KD: Yeah, but because I don’t have this crazy, developed catalog of eighty songs to pull from, it’s important that each show is kind of an event. For that reason, I play out somewhat sparingly for now. Also, I want to do more with…um, special effects [laughs].

IWTAS: Like fireworks?

KD: I just love to party, man [laughs]. You know those little plastic champagne bottles where you pull a string and they explode with confetti? Really love those.

IWTAS: Sounds like a good way to poke an eye out.

KD: Haha. I’m really serious about the process of making music, and what I’m saying in it, and how it’s going to sound. But when I’m playing it, I just want people to have a fucking awesome time.

 

Née, along with Jes Kramer and Beth Bombara, performs at Schlafly Tap Room this Saturday, January 22^nd. 9pm. Free. Go ahead and RSVP.

Links:

Last.fm – http://www.last.fm/music/N%C3%A9e

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/neemusic