Kim Ann Foxman became known as a vocalist in Hercules and Love Affair, but lately she has been concentrating on doing music and remixes under her own name. As proved at Turku Modern last summer, she is also a brilliant DJ – and a rather fitting guest for this year's Turku Modern Winter Conference. While waiting for next week, we reached Kim on her European tour.

 

Just now you're playing DJ gigs in Europe, right? Where are you at the moment? How have the latest gigs been?

 

– I'm in Hamburg right now. This weekend I have five gigs in four days. Hamburg, Berlin and Brussels for this weekend. So, I'm hustling my butt at the moment : ). Then I go on to London, Helsinki and Naples. 

 

This will be your third time in Finland in about six months. Do you have any special memories from your visits to Turku or Helsinki in the summer?

 

– I've had only nice times in Finland! Nice people, nice food. It's really pretty. The last time I did a DJ set at Turku Modern, it was really fun! The crowd was extra warm and just so lovely. I was really into it. I had traveled from Russia and my luggage got lost, so I showed up in whatever I was wearing and played that night, but at least I had my music. I've only had really nice shows in Helsinki always and our last live show there was really fun. I love the crowd in Finland, they get so into it. 

 

Your debut single Creature was released last year. Is there more solo material to be expected soon?

 

– Right now I'm so busy working on stuff. I have out three remixes, and I'm working on two more. I did a collaboration with Kink and Neville Watson that came out and I did two collaborations for other artists albums that will come out next year. I'm also working on my own tracks as well, for more solo material, yes. 

 

The first single was produced and released by Andy Butler (of Hercules and Love Affair) – I suppose you are working with him on the future releases as well. Will there be other producers or musicians involved?

 

– Yes, I worked with Andy on my first one. I brought Andy the skeletal structure of Creature – the bassline, the hook, the melodies, and he helped me really bring them to life in his studio. We replaced a lot of the sounds with his hardware. I have been recently really exploring some nice collaborations with other people as well, those will come out next year.

 

Can you tell a bit more about the remixes you have been working on?

 

– I did one on Needwant Records for Max Essa's How Do You Feel? – that was my first one. I did one for a band called International, the song is called River Seine, and one for The Opiates' Jalousies and Jealousies. I'm working on two more at the moment, but you can just keep your ears peeled to look out for the others... I don't know when they are released.

 

Andy has told his label mr. intl intends to put out only music that sounds like it was recorded between 1985 and 1994. I guess you share this aesthetic approach to some extent. Are there any artists or producers from the era that have been particularly influential for you?

 

– I do love it with all my heart! It's my favorite era in dance music, but I'm also not limited to only that. A lot of my aesthetic is deeply inspired by that era for sure, but I'm open to many things. DJ set-wise, I do love classic aesthetic dance music, yes, and new songs that are inspired by that as well. But I like a lot of music and I'm open to exploring things. I grew up listening to tons of freestyle and R&B which I also am a big fan of. 

 

Could you give us a hint of what we might hear at Nolla next week – three tracks that you have been playing a lot lately?

 

 

– Here is my latest collaboration with Kink and Neville Watson. It's a fun party jam. The dub side is really nice too. 

 

 

– This one is just a great old school jam from my rave days.

 

– Aerea is one of my dearest friends in the entire world, and this remix is really huge on the dance floor.

 

Besides music, you're known for your style. What's your favourite piece of clothing for the winter season?

 

– I dunno, I just hate being cold. I just throw on a ton of layers and see what happens and I need a fun hat to keep my ears warm. 

 

Do you like porridge? What's your favourite type?

 

– I don't have too much experience with porridge. It wasn't the most popular food growing up in Hawaii, but I think my favorite porridge – and the only one I know I like – is oatmeal porridge for breakfast with some brown sugar, honey and fruits.