p1nkstar: the Programming of a Pop-Princess
“A glittering pink blur struts onstage in towering white platform boots, her lips dripping dewy glittery gloss with matching eyeshadow. Her dancers trailing behind in head-to-toe blush, docile, and slightly disengaged. She whips her long auburn curls out of her face and bursts into an electro-pop number that sets your hips in motion. Days later the song lingers, you search your closet for some high-femme pink in vain. And just like that, you know that ‘p1nkstar!’ is so much more than a pop star.”
If you’ve ever experienced the magic of a p1nkstar performance, you’ll be tuning in to Fusebox Festival this weekend to see what she’s unleashing (including unreleased tracks) with partner-in-crime, Y2K. We ‘safely’ talked with p1nkstar via virtual snail mail about the fantasy house set they’ve been concepting and the transitions they’ve been making for Saturday night’s live concert experience.
Image Courtesy of Fifi Mar
CA: How would you describe your music and live performance?
P1: According to ALL the press, I create a world far removed from this dimension’s binaries through music and conceptual shows, mixing saccharine beats with subversive lyrics, tiaras with ball gags, and body hair with hypnotic ponytails. I have been described as “early Aughts Paris Hilton on Hello Kitty steroids” by The Austin Chronicle, who recently crowned me as their Queer Pop Princess.
CA: What genre of music did you find a home in?
P1: My heart lies in underground club, but for my sound I would say hyperpop with neo-perreo and club influences.
CA: What’s important to you about the intersection between music culture and conceptual art?
P1: Most conceptual artists love overthinking; most musicians guide through intuition. I think to find a balance—or maybe to create a blur.
CA: Is there any artist, in particular, that opened up your world in terms of how you approach your craft?
P1: I think when Paris said “ That’s hot,” I really felt that.
CA: Tell us about what your original Fusebox performance was going to look/feel like.
P1: Originally we were doing a music/sound performance where we collaborated with electronic musicians to improvise while Y2K and I sang through pre-programmed vocal processors creating some form of improvisational human-digital-hybrid opera. We wanted to have a big amorphous object on stage that would react to our experimental music.
Image courtesy of Josh Gonzales
CA: What will your performance be like now that Fusebox Festival has transitioned to a virtual landscape?
P1: We are presenting a different idea. Y2K and I have been imagining and troubleshooting what our ideal live-stream music set would look like and have been working to make that happen. We have turned our house into some form of music/stage set and will be performing all our newest music along with some unreleased tracks.
CA: What have you learned, living and working in your house, even transitioning your home into a festival-friendly stage?
P1: I have learned how important it is to be uncomfortable to be able to work.
CA: After the festival weekend closes, where else can people find you?
P1: Come out to the club, CYB3RQU33N every month, you will find me serving a look at Y2K Technologies.
Photo courtesy of Manuel Frayre
CA: What non-virtual Austin venues might their ’fave electr0nic pop superstar’ be found?
P1: Cheer Up Charlies is like a second home for many of us & I love partying at Coconut Club.
CA: Can you describe the difference between experiencing p1nkstar IRL versus online?
P1: p1nkstar is a product to be consumed every imaginable way possible.
CA: What’s a possible/fantasy way audiences might consume p1nkstar in the future?
P1: “ Us at p1nkstar Inc. strive to be the world’s leading, branded entertainment company across digital media platforms by helping individuals realize their full potential. We believe in the importance of a fun and enriching life, and focus on our clients by enhancing our innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings. Our company supports families so they can grow, learn, and get the best possible start in life. This philosophy guides all p1nkstar Inc.’s activities, whether designing a stationery set, a retail store, or an animated television series.
Since the beginning, our goal has been to develop services that significantly improve the lives of as many people possible. Not just for some. For everyone. We are a different kind of company with a different view of the world. It’s a special place where we have the opportunity to create the best products on earth - products that change lives and help shape the future. It’s a privilege we hold dear. “
CA: Sounds like Utopia.
Last thing, when did you know you were an electronic pop princess?
P1: I've always known it. I was simply programmed this way <3
Consume the concert from your favorite seat in the house, this Saturday at Midnight CDT. Want a teaser? Stream "Number 1 Hits!" by p1nkstar!
IG: @p1nkstar_ // Twitter: @p1nkstar_ // www.p1nkstar.com // FB: /p1nkstar.icon