Kristine W Feeds The Bears
Serving Delicious Hits at the International Bear Convergence
By Keith Hubner
Kristine W has long been a staple on gay dance floors, first launching into pop music in the nineties with the hit single, “Feel What You Want”.
The song climbed all the way to #1 on the dance charts, sparking a bidding war between all the major labels on who would get to sign her. MCA won and produced her first two albums, Land of the Living in 1996 and Stronger in 2000.
In 2003, with five #1s under her belt, Kristine left MCA and began releasing records on her own label. The hits haven’t stopped coming! She’s had 15 #1s and holds the world’s record for most consecutive top dance singles on Billboard. Advocate Magazine named her one of the premier artists that has helped shape gay nightlife, saying, “(Kristine) has an intensity that plays like she is a woman imitating a man impersonating a woman.”
Kristine W returns to Palm Springs on Saturday, February 6th to perform at the 2016 International Bear Convergence.
Is this your first time performing the International Bear Convergence?
Yes, I am so excited to hang with my bears!
You’ve had experience with the Bear community before, right?
Bears know how to have fun. The atmosphere is always super positive, not to mention, they are pretty gorgeous to look at! My funniest experience with bears was at a show in Florida. It was early in my career, before I knew what bears were. The promoter was screaming something to me over the sound of the DJ, something about how to greet the thousands of guys in the crowd. I couldn’t exactly hear him but I was able to catch some of the words. I proceeded to thank the audience for their support of wildlife, especially the bears. The crowd looked at each other because no one knew what the hell I was talking about! I immediately went into the next song because their reaction was so strange to me. When I got off stage, my crew and the promoter were in tears, laughing. I was too when I found out what the promoter had been trying to tell me.
That’s hilarious!
I still laugh about it.
What can we expect at this performance?
We are working with the promoter to put together a custom show. They are still deciding what they want but I’m sure it will include lots of classics. I can tell already it’s going to be a great party. The producers are working hard to make sure it’s really fun.
Is it true you’re releasing a new album this year?
Yes, that’s true!
It will be your first in four years. Why the long break?
I write a lot of songs – I mean, a lot of them! – Before I choose the final ones I take to production. Oftentimes, after I produce them, I rework them and then rework them again. It’s a long process.
How has your music changed since the New & Number Ones album?
My music is constantly evolving because of so many factors. New technology is one. The way we create and record has changed so much! The one constant is that I like to make uplifting music because I believe music is the best good medicine.
The biggest hit from your last record was “So Close To Me”. Did you expect it to be the fan favorite?
I did. The song is about people being together, connecting face-to-face and enjoying the fabulous moments that only happen when we are with each other physically. There is so little human contact these days with all the different gadgets we all use. I knew the song would strike a chord.
It climbed to #2 on the dance chart. What prevented it from hitting the top spot?
Aretha Franklin released her record at the same time. I don’t mind coming in second to her. She’s the queen of soul, for goodness sake.
“Everything that I Got” and “Love Come Home” both made it into the top 5, which is not shabby, but they didn’t achieve the #1 spot like so many of your songs. Has there been a change in the dance floor?
I don’t think there has been a change in the dance floor. There is a change in the volume of club records being released. When I first started, it was mostly dance artists on the dance charts. Today, we are competing against remixes by Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Coldplay, Adele… Literally every genre of music is releasing dance mixes to the charts.
Are you doing anything differently with the new album?
I’m always experimenting with new sounds. I love to mix different types of styles of dance together and add live musicians to the music whenever possible.
What’s your advice to new dance artists starting out in 2016?
Fasten your seatbelt, honey; you’re in for a bumpy ride! But, that said, know that anything can happen when you love what you do and you’re doing it for the right reasons.
Looking back now, is there anything you would change in your career?
I never look back. I’m all about moving forward. See you at the show! (Laughing) Can’t wait to hang with the wildlife!
Kristine W performs at The International Bear Convergence in Palm Springs on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs. Visit KristineW.com and ibc-ps.com for info.
