KNOWN BEST FOR her days as the front-woman for Deee-Lite - one of the most eclectic, colorful, and pioneering bands of the '90s - Lady Kier (born Kieren Kirby) emerges a decade later as a solo vocalist still bringing her trademark flair for uniqueness to the stage.
A runaway at the age of 17, Lady Kier found a family in DJ Dimitry and DJ Towa Towa when the former two created the dynamic group, Deee-Lite. The trio's music blended House, techno, breakbeats and funk and turned them from a club circuit New York band into a commercialized sensation with their smash dance hit "Groove is in the Heart," off of their debut album World Clique in 1990. Following up with their second album Infinity Within in 1992, Deee-Lite continued to pull the masses in with their House Music and electronica sounds as well as the distinctive styles of Lady Kier's '70s inspired fashions, bringing back vibrant colors, patterns, and platform shoes. The band's third release Dewdrops in the Garden came in 1994, but switched out Towa Towa (who later changed his name to Towa Tei) for DJ Ani. The band's final effort, Sampladelic Relics and Dancefloor Oddities came out in 1996 shortly before the trio broke up.
Lady Kier then moved from New York to London, England and began dabbling in the art of DJing while studying music. "For a long time, I just didn't want to (perform)," she says. "I wanted to just study music." She began successfully spinning and producing her own sounds internationally while in London for over 10 years until moving back to NYC a year ago. While perfecting her DJing skills, Lady Kier also collaborated on several projects with Bootsy Collins (whose bass playing was earlier featured on "Groove is in the Heart") including co-writing 2003's "I'm Tired of Good, I'm Trying Bad" for the film A Man Apart (also found on Collins' 2002 album Play With Bootsy - A Tribute to the Funk). She also showed her writing skills on tracks such as 2003's "Up on Life," "Back to Da Boogie," "All Star Funk" and 1995's Wigstock: The Movie which she wrote under her real name. She has also collaborated with George Clinton and the P Funk, Lady Bunny, and countless DJs fueling her turn-table endeavors.
Already knowing musical success, she now breaks her silence while readying herself in the studio for her yet-to-be-titled album this fall. Touring Australia, the United States, and Amsterdam, she admits, "I'm just touring around and trying out some stuff . . . Just getting back into the swing of being on stage again after taking such a long time off."
How do you preferred to be addressed? Lady Kier? Lady "Miss" Kier?
Yeah, Lady Kier. Lady Miss Kier. "That bitch from Deee-Lite." That's fine too.
You were in town to perform at the Gay Games VII this past weekend. How did that go?
It was fun. I mean, it was 102 degrees, so it was hot, but I really enjoyed it. I always prefer to perform outdoors for a free street party than any club. So, that was great.
What songs did you perform?
I performed eight songs from my new album and then I performed four or five of the Deee-Lite songs - just like shorter versions ("Good Beat", "Sure Lookin'", "Apple Juice Kissing", "What is Love?" and "Groove is in the Heart"). I did all of those from the Deee-lite days and then the rest was all music written and produced by me.
Why do you like performing outdoors better than in the clubs?
Well, just for different reasons, but I'm always for a free street party. I like to bring it into the street. It also fun to do shows during the daytime.
Your fashion style in the past has been described as outrageous and influenced by the drag queen community. How did your style come to be? Why do you think you're such an icon in the gay community?
Well, probably because I can relate to outcasts, misfits, prostitutes, virgins and drag queens. You know I just like the freaks. I think there's a lot of a kind of double-life, mystery, in the life they lead. There's just a lot that attracts me to it . . . being an outcast. I'm always inspired by a freak.
Now, is your style still the same? Are you still in that type of mode?
No, my style is always changing. It's always like anti-fashion, but pro-style. Very much like, you don't need a lot of money . . . You can kind of just make things yourself. I make my own costumes. Do my own designs. I just try to do something different.
