Electroclash is a style of music that fuses New Wave synthpop and electronic dance music.^[2][3] It emerged in New York and Detroit in the later 1990s, pioneered by acts including I-F and those associated with Gerald Donald, and is associated with acts including Peaches, Adult, and Fischerspooner. It was popularised by the Electroclash Festival in 2001 and 2002 and subsequent European tours, but faded as a distinctive style in the early 2000s.

Terminology and characteristics[link]

The term electroclash was coined by New York DJ and promoter Larry Tee^[2][3] to describe music that combined synthpop, techno, punk and performance art. The genre was a reaction to the rigid formulations of techno music, putting an emphasis on song writing, showmanship and a sense of humour,^[1] described by The Guardian as one of "the two most significant upheavals in recent dance music history".^[4] The visual aesthetic of electroclash has been associated with the 1982 cult film Liquid Sky.^[5]

History[link]

Electroclash emerged in New York at the end of the 1990s. It was pioneered by I-F with their track "Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass" (1998)^[1], and Collider with their 1998 album Blowing Shit Up (though Collider called its own style "electropunk" as the genre had not yet been named).^[6] The style was pursued by artists including Felix da Housecat,^[7] Peaches and Chicks on Speed.^[8] During the early years, Ladytron were sometimes labeled as electroclash, but they rejected this tag.^[9] Goldfrapp's albums Black Cherry (2003) and Supernature (2005) incorporated electroclash influences.^[10][11]

It came to media attention in 2001, when the Electroclash Festival was held in New York.^[12] The Electroclash Festival was held again in 2002 with subsequent live tours across the US and Europe in 2003 and then 2004. Other notable artists who performed at the festivals and subsequent tours include: Scissor Sisters, ADULT., Fischerspooner, Erol Alkan, Princess Superstar, Mignon, Miss Kittin & The Hacker, Mount Sims, Tiga and Spalding Rockwell. The style spread to scenes in London and Berlin, but rapidly faded as a recognisable genre as acts began to experiment with a variety of forms of music.^[13][14]

Popularity chart[link]

Successful records from the electroclash movement include:

References[link]

See also[link]

• List of electroclash artists

Benny Benassi
Background information
Birth name	Marco Benassi
Also known as	Benny B., Benny Bee
Born	(1967-07-13) July 13, 1967 (age 44)[1]
Origin	Reggio Emilia, Italy
Genres	House Techno Trance Electro Eurodance
Occupations	DJ, producer, remixer
Years active	Late 1980s–present
Labels	Energy Prod. - D:Vision, Airplay, Ministry of Sound, Ultra
Associated acts	Benassi Bros., Madonna, Chris Brown, Bat67, The Biz, FB, KMC, M&M, Two Men, Skrillex, Gary Go
Website	www.bennybenassi.com

Marco Benassi (born July 13, 1967),^[1] better known as Benny Benassi, is an Italian disc jockey (DJ) and record producer of tech house music. He is best known for his 2002 summer club hit "Satisfaction". On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Benny Benassi placed #26, 13 spots higher than the previous year.^[2]

Career[link]

Benny Benassi at Electric Daisy Carnival 2009.

A native of Reggio Emilia, DJ/producer Benassi, started DJing alongside cousin Alle Benassi in the late 1980s in their hometown, before moving to Larry Pignagnoli's Off Limits production studio in the mid 1990s, creating music for various acts, including Whigfield, J.K. and Ally & Jo.

Benassi first hit the dance floors with projects of his own, in 2001, with the single "I Feel So Fine", released under the name KMC with vocals by Dhany. The track first climbed the charts in Benassi's native Italy, and soon became a #1 hit in the UK club charts.^[1]

Moving from house to electro, "Satisfaction" took Benassi's success worldwide a year later with high-profile DJs like Carl Cox, Darren Emerson, and Roger Sanchez offering praises. The track reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart after the Ministry of Sound record company replaced the original video (an almost still picture of the band, overlayed with graphics) with a video of models using power tools.

Released in 2003, the "campy" and "quirky" Hypnotica was Benassi's solo debut album. At the end of 2004, he won the European Border Breakers Award for Hypnotica, which racked up the most sales for an Italian album outside Italy.

Benassi often works with vocalists Paul French and Violeta, who are collectively known as The Biz. He produced a group with cousin Alle, called Benassi Bros., a project designed to shine the spotlight on the two Biz vocalists, Paul French and Violeta Claudia and other guest singers. A year after the release of Hypnotica, thr album Pumphonia marked their first full length release. And, in 2005, Benassi Bros. released their second album …Phobia.

Some of Benassi's singles have charted high in the United Kingdom and have been played worldwide in clubs. Remixes for OutKast, Goldfrapp, and Felix da Housecat followed. Benassi also remixes music of his contemporaries, such as Tomcraft and Fischerspooner.

In 2005, Benassi founded the record label Pump-Kin Music. The focus of the label is primarily new and unsigned producers. The stated aim of the venture is to give exposure to some of the lesser known DJ/production talent across the world.

In August 2007, Benassi released a remix of Public Enemy's "Bring the Noise". The video for the track was created by Eclectic Method and features a montage of live footage from Public Enemy. It premiered on imeem.com. In February 2008, "Bring the Noise" won a Grammy for best Remix (Dance).

His album Rock 'n' Rave was released on June 16, 2008. The first single from the album was "I Am Not Drunk."

Benassi also broadcasts the one-hour long The Benny Benassi Show on Sirius XM Radio's channel Area.^[3]

In 2009, he worked with Madonna on a remix for her single "Celebration" which was included on the official music video for the song.

In 2010, Benassi released "Electro Sixteen", a video for Benny Benassi vs. "Iggy Pop", “Electro Sixteen,” published by Ultra Records, which is an experimental music video featuring more than 15,000 photographs from his DJ set at New York’s Electric Zoo Festival.^[4]

On May 24, 2010, "Spaceship", which featured Kelis, apl.de.ap and Jean-Baptiste, was selected as the Song of the Day on About.com, with the site calling Benassi's production "tight and melodic, [while] Kelis turns in a fantastic performance." The single was released via digital download on August 21, and charted at #18 on the UK Dance singles chart on August 28."^[5]

On January 23, 2011, Benny Benassi released the music video for "Electroman", a single featuring T-Pain.

Benassi is featured on the track "Beautiful People", off Chris Brown's latest album, F.A.M.E..^{[clarification needed][citation needed]}

On June 7, Benny Benassi released a new album titled Electroman, which includes several singles, such as "Cinema", "Electroman", "Spaceship" and "Control".^[6]

In 2012, working for the second time with Madonna he produced 3 tracks for her studio album MDNA: "Girl Gone Wild", "I'm Addicted" and "Best Friend".

Discography[link]

• Hypnotica (2003)
• Pumphonia (2004)
• ...Phobia (2005)
• Rock 'n' Rave (2008)
• Electroman (2011)

Awards and nominations[link]

• 2011 - Benny Benassi was rated #27 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJS.
• Benny Benassi recently was rated #7 on DJ Poll Top 100 on www.thedjlist.com.
• 2008 - Benny Benassi won the Best Remixed Recording at the 50th Grammy Awards for his remix of Public Enemy's Bring the Noise.
• 2006 - Benny Benassi "Hit my Heart" opened The 2006 Victoria Secret Fashion Show.
• 2004 - Three nominations at Dancestar, Miami and won the best video award.
• 2004 - DJ MAG's Top 100 DJs: Benny became number eighteen, the highest new entry.
• 2004 - European Border Breakers Award for Hypnotica, the Italian album that sold most in Europe outside Italy.
• 2003 - Number one in the Top 100 dance tracks on the Ministry of Sound Internet radio.
• 2003 - DJ MAG tune of the year in UK.
• 2003 - Revelation of the year – Italian Dance Music Awards.
• 2003 - Dance revelation of the year – Danish Music Award.
• 2003 - Nominated for international revelation of the year – NRJ Awards, France.

See also[link]

• 'Benassi pumping'

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Benny Benassi

• Official website
• Artist Site at Ultra Records
• Fan site

Larry Tee
Larry Tee at Carnage Recordings studio in London 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Lawrence Thom
Born	(1969-10-12) October 12, 1969 (age 42)
Origin	Seattle, Washington, USA
Genres	Electroclash house music pop music
Occupations	DJ, club promoter, music producer
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Ultra Records, Djs Are Not Rockstars, Mogul Electro, Whacked Records, Universal Records
Associated acts	Afrojack, Shontelle, Princess Superstar, Sean Garrett, Santigold, Steve Aoki, Herve, Lady Gaga, Sia, La Roux, Major Lazer, Roxy Cottontail, Charlie Le Mindu, Sebastian Leger, Vandalism, Keith and Supabeat RuPaul, Avenue D, t.A.T.u., The Scissor Sisters, Fischerspooner, Peaches, W.I.T., Blogula
Website	Larry Tee Official Website

Larry Tee (born October 12, 1969) is a New York City-based DJ, club promoter, and music producer who coined the musical genre term Electroclash^[1] and helped launch the careers of such artists as RuPaul, Scissor Sisters, Fischerspooner, Peaches, W.I.T., and Avenue D, and has collaborated with Amanda Lepore and Princess Superstar.

New York Press credited Tee as ‘a hipster before there were hipsters, a club kid before Michael Alig dismembered one and a man who made Williamsburg cool again’. The magazine celebrated Tee's electroclash credentials as well as his role in making RuPaul a star in the 90s.^[2]

Career[link]

Tee was born to two Canadian-born citizens in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in Seattle and then Marietta, Georgia. He moved to Atlanta in the early 1980s, where he became a part of the music scene and he hung out with drag personalities such as RuPaul, Lady Bunny, and Lahoma Van Zandt at the Celebrity Club in Atlanta.^[3]

In 1989, Tee along with RuPaul and Lady Bunny and Lahoma Van Zandt moved to NYC and quickly took over the Club Kids scene with his epic party, Love Machine. He hosted the infamous DISCO 2000 seen in the movie Party Monster's hot body contest, and also DJ'ed at the ROXY on a weekly basis.^[4]

During the 1990s, he became a prominent DJ by playing at highly-regarded venues such as Palladium, Twilo, and the Roxy NYC.^[4] In 1992, Tee co-wrote the RuPaul's top 40-hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)".

In the early 2000s, Tee created and trademarked the term "electroclash" and it became well known enough that it started to appear in the Oxford Dictionary.^[5] He coordinated and managed the 2001 Electroclash Festival, which featured Scissor Sisters, Fischerspooner, Ladytron and Peaches, who all participated in the festival. He also created and managed the nouvea-music electro girl group, W.I.T.^[3]

In 2009 Tee released the iTunes top 20 dance album Club Badd, which featured songs by Blogger Perez Hilton, Princess Superstar (the Licky single was later re-written by Sean Garrett of Beyonce/Usher fame and re-recorded by Shontelle), Jeffree Star, Roxy Cottontail, Herve, Bart B More, and Christopher Just. Licky also appeared on the Steve Aoki mix album with Santogold rapping on it and in the Russell Brand movie, "Get Him To the Greek". In 2010, Larry Tee released the single "Let's Make Nasty" featuring Roxy Cottontail and it is to be re-released in the UK in 2011.

In 2010 Tee collaborated with celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and Amanda Lepore to produce Hilton's first music track.^[4] Currently he is remixing for a range of artists including Lady GaGa and La Roux.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Larry Tee's website
• Larry Tee's DJ Mix on DeathDiscoRadio.com
• Larry Tee on Discogs.com
• Larry Tee video interview NYC 2008
• Larry Tee interview on Grooveeffect, 2009
• [1]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat performing in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Felix Stallings, Jr.
Also known as	Aphrohead Thee Maddkatt Courtship Thee Maddkatt Chronicles Sharkimaxx Virgo Blaktro Electrikboy Thee Jamie Starr Scenario
Born	(1971-08-27) August 27, 1971 (age 40) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Electroclash House Minimal techno Techno Electronic Alternative dance Electronic rock (early)
Occupations	DJ Producer
Labels	Emperor Norton Rykodisc
Associated acts	Kris Menace, Miss Kittin, P. Diddy, Tommie Sunshine

Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings Jr., August 27, 1971, Chicago, Illinois) is an American DJ and record producer, mostly known for house music and electroclash. His name was inspired by Felix the Cat.^[1]

Felix is regarded as a member of the second wave of Chicago house.^[2] He gained fame not only via his recordings (under a number of aliases, including Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead and Sharkimaxx), but also for his ownership of Radikal Fear Records.

Life[link]

Beginnings[link]

Stallings developed an interest in the emergent Chicago house music scene at a young age. While a student at Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois in the mid-1980s, a chance introduction to acid house pioneer DJ Pierre gave the then 15-year-old Stallings his break, and under the patronage and guidance of Pierre, he released his first single, "Phantasy Girl," in 1987.^{[citation needed]}

Also in 1987, Felix went to Alabama State University to study media and communication. There he studied different musicians of the era, including Prince, A Tribe Called Quest, and Gang Starr, as well as developing an interest in hip hop and R&B tracks.

1990s[link]

After graduating, he released "Thee Dawn" on Guerilla Records. He became popular in Europe, and in the following year, "By Dawn's Early Light" and "Thee Industry Made Me Do It" followed. A further single, "In The Dark We Live (Thee Lite)", appeared under his pseudonym, Aphrohead. Originally released on the UK label, Bush, "In The DaAlbum", followed in 1998. In 1999, he released with "In The Dark We Live".

Shortly afterwards, Stallings formed Radikal Fear Records. It released material from Mike Dunn, DJ Sneak, and Armando as well as Felix himself. During 1995, he released his debut album Alone in the Dark (as Thee Maddkatt Courtship) on Deep Distraxion, followed by the Radikal Fear compilation album, The Chicago All Stars and a remix album entitled Clashbackk Compilation Mix. The album I Know Electrikboy was never officially released in either the US or UK, although promotional copies are in circulation.

2000s[link]

In 2001, Kittenz and Thee Glitz, written and produced alongside Tommie Sunshine, Miss Kittin, Dave The Hustler, Harrison Crump, Junior Sanchez, Junior Jack and Melistar was released which gained Felix mainstream exposure. At the end of that year, Felix won Best Album at the now-defunct Muzik Awards. The ensuing fame brought Felix remix work for Madonna, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue. The proper follow-up, Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever, was released in 2004, though Felix released a pair of mix albums, 2002's Excursions and 2003's A Bugged Out Mix, in between.

Felix also collaborated with P Diddy on the pair's "Jack U" single. The pair remain friends, with Diddy performing alongside Felix at Space in Ibiza in 2005, and Felix performing at Diddy's after-party for The Main Event at the Winter Music Conference.

Various remixes of "Silver Screen (Shower Scene)" were used in video games such as Midnight Club 2, and SSX 3, and films including Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The Soulwax Remix of His song "Rocket Ride" was featured in the game Need for Speed: Underground 2. "Everyone Is Someone in LA" was featured in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland. His songs have also featured in television programs such as The Sopranos and "Silver Screen" featured in the party scene in Robert Downey, Jr's 2005 film, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Felix's album, Virgo Blaktro and the Movie Disco, was released on October 2, 2007 in the US on Nettwerk Records. Production was overseen by Dallas Austin. l "Future Calls The Dawn" was released on July 9, 2007 on Wall of Sound/PIAS with "Sweet Frosti" featured as the B-side. "Sweetfrosti" contained a sample of Devo's "Snowball", originally released in 1981.

"Like Something 4 Porno!" is released as the album's lead single on September 24, 2007 with remixes from Kris Menace, Teenage Bad Girl and Armand Van Helden, while a third single, "Radio", was released digitally in April 2008. Since then, Felix has released his first Global Underground compilation, for the Newcastle-upon-Tyne compilation and club label. Felix also teamed up with Kris Menace to release "Artificial" in June 2008.

In 2009, Felix released He Was King, via Nettwerk Records.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Mix albums[link]

Singles[link]

Remixes[link]

• Passion Pit- "Little Secrets (Felix Da Housecat Pink Enemy Remix)" (2009)
• Britney Spears- "Toxic (Felix Da Housecat's Club Mix)" (2004)
• Buy Now! - "For Sale (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2007)
• The Chemical Brothers - "Get Yourself High (Felix Da Housecat's Chemical Meltdown Mix)" (2003)
• The Disco Boys - "Born to Be Alive"
• Garbage - "Androgyny (Thee Glitz mix)" & "Androgyny (Thee Drum Drum mix)" (2001)
• Gwen Stefani - "What You Waiting For? (The Rude Ho Mix by Felix Da Housecat)" (2005)
• Holly Valance - "State of Mind (Felix Da Housecat's Dub)" (2003)
• Madonna - "American Life (Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix)" (2003)
• Madonna - "Die Another Day (Thee RetroLectro Mix)" (2003)
• Miike Snow - "Silvia (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2010)
• Mylène Farmer - "Je t'aime mélancolie (Felix Da Housecat Remix)" (2003)
• Mylo - "Drop the Pressure"
• Nina Simone - "Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix)" (2003)
• Pet Shop Boys - "London (Thee Radikal Blaklight Edit)" (2003)
• Pet Shop Boys - "I don't know what you want but I can't give it anymore (Thee 2 black ninja mix) (1999)
• New Order - "Here To Stay (Felix Da Housecat Extended Glitz mix)" (2002)
• Paola & Chiara - "Vanity & Pride (Felix Da Housecat Club Mix)" (2008)
• Uffie - "Pop the Glock (Felix Da Housecat's Pink Enemy Remix)" (2009)
• Kylie Minogue - Where Is The Feeling? (Da Klub Feelin Mix)" (1995)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Felix da Housecat on Myspace
• Official Blog
• Felix da Housecat discography at Discogs

Miss Kittin
Miss Kittin in 2004
Background information
Birth name	Caroline Hervé
Born	1973 (age 38–39) Grenoble, Isère, France
Genres	Electroclash, electropop, neo-electro, techno, tech house
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, DJ
Instruments	Vocals, synthesizer
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Astralwerks, EMI, International DeeJay Gigolo, Mute Records, Nobody's Bizzness, Novamute
Associated acts	Felix da Housecat, Golden Boy, The Hacker
Website	www.misskittin.com

Caroline Hervé (born 1973), better known by her stage name Miss Kittin, is a French electronic music DJ, singer, and songwriter. Since rising to prominence in 1998 for her singles "1982" and "Frank Sinatra" with The Hacker, she has worked with other musicians such as Chicks on Speed, Felix da Housecat and Golden Boy. She released her debut solo album I Com in 2004 and second solo album BatBox in 2008. She achieved international popularity with the singles "Rippin Kittin" and "Silver Screen Shower Scene".

Life and career[link]

1973–1994: Early life[link]

Miss Kittin was born Caroline Hervé in 1973 in Grenoble, a town in the Alps, in southeastern France. Music such as Genesis, Supertramp, Miles Davis, Maria Callas, Pink Floyd and The Beatles became prominent parts of her and her parents' lives. At the age of 6, Hervé often played piano for fun at her grandparents', and reproduced melodies from the radio. Miss Kittin tried taking piano lessons but gave up after 2 years. In addition, she started practicing ballet when she was 5 years old and continued until she was 22.^[1]

After earning her high school degree in 1990, Miss Kittin studied art, first in Marseille in 1991, then in the Beaux-Arts of Grenoble to specialize in contemporary art in 1993–94. She finished her graphic design program in Amiens in 1995 before starting her full time DJ job.^[1]

1995–97: Career beginnings[link]

As time progressed, however, Kittin found herself emulating her parents' musical tastes by developing an interest in musical genres ranging from classic, jazz, funk, and disco to English pop. Finding her niche in electronic music in 1991, Kittin raved all around the country before doing her first mix in April 1993. Her first set came one year later in 1994, at which time she started her career with Tekmics Booking Agency. When she was 22, she began DJing, spinning records in France, Moscow and Chicago with Mike Dearborn. A major break came for the producer/DJ when she received bookings for the Dragon Ball events in Southern France. In 1996, she moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and joined the Mental Groove Records posse. A trio of early productions on various-artists compilations were scattered throughout 1996 and 1997.^[2]

[edit] 1998–2003: The Hacker, First Album and Or

The first records she bought for DJing were Richie Hawtin's Fuse and Robert Hood's The Protein Valve. It took her three months to earn enough money at her job as a supermarket cashier to buy a secondhand pair of Technics decks, both of which she still uses. By 1998, she met DJ Hell in Marseille who wanted her to record for his International DJ Gigolo label. She presented him with the EP Champagne that she recorded with The Hacker. Champagne included a cover of the song "Dirty Talk" by Klein + M.B.O. In 1999, the duo released the EP Intimités, which included a cover of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)".^[3]

Miss Kittin & The Hacker released First Album in 2001. First Album received positive reviews from contemporary critics; according to the music review aggregation of Metacritic, it garnered an average score of 68/100.^[4] The album was listed on several Best Albums of the Decade lists.^[5][6] Despite not charting, the album sold over 50,000 copies worldwide.^[7] Several songs on the album such as "1982" and "Frank Sinatra", became anthems of the electroclash scene and underground hits in Europe.^[2][7] Slant Magazine placed "Frank Sinatra" at number eighty-six on its 100 Greatest Dance Songs list.^[8] Other songs on the album include "Stock Exchange" and "The Beach".

While touring with The Hacker in support of their debut album, Miss Kittin met Felix da Housecat at a Swiss festival. The next day, Kittin and Felix composed "Silver Screen Shower Scene" and "Madame Hollywood" in a small friend's studio in Geneva. She also cowrote and was featured on the songs "Voicemail" and "What Does It Feel Like?" from Felix da Housecat's album Kittenz and Thee Glitz.^[1] Kittenz and Thee Glitz received positive reviews from contemporary critics, garnering an average score of 78/100 on the music review aggregation of Metacritic.^[9] "Silver Screen Shower Scene" became one first electroclash songs to reach the UK Top 40, peaking at number thirty-nine.^[10] "Madame Hollywood" peaked at number nineteen on the Canadian Singles Chart.^[11] In 2001, Sven Väth featured Miss Kittin on his single "Je t'aime... moi non plus", a cover of the Serge Gainsbourg song of the same name.^[12] After shooting the music video for "Je t'aime... moi non plus", Miss Kittin decided to move to Berlin and take a job as an A&R consultant at Mute Records Germany.^[1]

In 2002, she released the techno music compilations On the Road and Radio Caroline Vol.1. Both albums received positive reviews for showcasing her talents "as a DJ rather than an electroclash diva",^[13] who "finally tears down the facade, proving that she is much more than the champagne-toasting chanteuse that her sensual accent and fashionista lyrics have always suggested."^[14]

Golden Boy first met Miss Kittin after she remixed one of his songs. In 2002, the duo released the album Or. The album was released through Emperor Norton Records in North America, which had previously released Miss Kittin and The Hacker's First Album. The first single "Rippin Kittin", released in 2002, references the Misfits' song "Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?" from the band's album Walk Among Us.^[15] After being endorsed by Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys,^[16] the single became a club success in Europe and became Miss Kittin's first #1 single on the UK Dance Chart. Pitchfork Media placed "Rippin Kittin" at number four-hundred thirty-five on its Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s list.^[17] In addition, Stylus Decade placed the song at number seventy-five on its Top 100 Singles of the 2000s list.^[18]

She collaborated with Chicks on Speed and sang on the songs "Shick Shaving" and "Wordy Rappinghood" from their album 99 Cents in 2003.^[19] "Wordy Rappinghood" also featured guest vocals by other female musicians such as Kevin Blechdom, Le Tigre, Adult.'s Nicola Kuperus, and Tina Weymouth of the Tom Tom Club. The song became a moderate dance hit in Europe, peaking at number five on the Belgian Dance Chart,^[20] and at number sixty-six on the UK Singles Chart.^[21]

[edit] 2004–07: Solo career and I Com

On 24 May 2004, Miss Kittin released her debut solo album I Com through NovaMute in the United Kingdom,^[22] and through Astralwerks in the United States.^[23] She collaborated with The Hacker, Toby Neumann and Thies Mynther for the album.^[24] Miss Kittin had met Tobi Neumann and Thies Mynther aka "Glove" after working with them on the Chicks on Speed song "Shick Shaving" and after recording lyrics for Steve Bug.^[1] The album received positive reviews from contemporary critics, earning an average score of 73/100 on the music review aggregation of Metacritic.^[23] I Com yielded three singles: "Professional Distortion", "Requiem for a Hit" and "Happy Violentine". The song "Professional Distortion" became Miss Kittin's first solo single to chart on the French Singles Chart.^[25] Several of the remixes of the three singles were later complied and released on Miss Kittin's EP Mixing Me.^[26]

Miss Kittin at the Sónar Festival.

In 2004, Miss Kittin created her own label Nobody's Bizzness. The label would eventually release her albums BatBox and Two after her departure from NovaMute.^[27] She said of the label's purpose, "I created my own label 'Nobody's Bizzness' to release my finished album and keep the maximum freedom with my music."^[1] Additionally, Kittin appeared on the song "Masterplan" from The Hacker's album Rêves Mécaniques in 2004.^[28]

She released Live at Sónar in 2006, recorded at the famous electronic music festival Sónar in Barcelona. For Sónar, Miss Kittin provided impromptu new vocals to her classic catalogue. During the festival, she was assisted by Aphex Twin, Modeselektor, Boom Bip, and The Hacker.^[29] The album was jointy released by Labels and NovaMute.^[30]

Miss Kittin also released the double-disc CD A Bugged Out Mix in 2006 through Resist Music and System Recordings. Disc One Perfect Night combines underground classics (Mike Ink), electro (Cajmere) and minimal techno (Adam Beyer) while the second disc Perfect Day is a mix of Miss Kittin's favourite post-club tracks from artists such as Wagon Christ, Monolake and Biosphere.^[31]

In 2007, Miss Kittin & The Hacker reunited to release the single "Hometown / Dimanche" through Good Life Recordings.^[32] The music video for "Hometown" was directed by Régis Brochier of 7th floor Productions.^[33]

[edit] 2008–present: BatBox, Reunion with The Hacker and Two

After two years in the making and almost four years since her debut album I Com, Miss Kittin released her second album, BatBox on 4 February 2008, through her label Nobody's Bizzness. BatBox's thirteen original songs were composed whilst touring throughout the world. Miss Kittin described the tracks as a flirtation with Goth culture, as reflected in vocal lines such as "bat in a box / show me what you goth". Artist Rob Reger designed the cover and included his "Emily the Strange" cartoon in a 12-page foldout booklet for the album.^[34] Miss Kittin released the singles "Kittin Is High" and "Grace" to promote the album.

In 2008, Miss Kittin & The Hacker reunited as a duo, and toured throughout America and around the world, before they both started recording new songs, some of which were performed whilst touring. Two, their second album together, was released in March 2009. The album was released 8 years after their first and only full LP as a duo. Two received positive reviews from contemporary critics; according to the music review aggregation of Metacritic, it garnered an average score of 62/100.^[35] Their first single from the album "PPPO" was released in March 2009 followed by the single "1000 Dreams".^[36][37] Their third and final single from the album "Party in My Head" was released in June 2009.^[38] The Thieves Like Us remix of "Party in My Head" was released a free download pn XLR8R's website.^[39] Miss Kittin & The Hacker also included a cover of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" on the album, for which they filmed a promotional music video directed by Régis Brochier of 7th floor Productions.^[40] "Suspicious Minds" was later featured on the downloadable for free mixtape Skull of Dreams by Little Boots.^[41][42]

Miss Kittin was featured on Primal Scream's cover of "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne" for a limited-edition 10-inch vinyl pressing. A total of 3,000 copies were pressed and released on 30 March 2009. The song is a part of a series of Suicide covers by other musicians such as The Horrors and Lydia Lunch released on the Blast First Petite label to celebrate Suicide frontman Alan Vega's 70th birthday.^[43] Miss Kittin remixed Felix da Housecat's song "We All Wanna Be Prince" in 2009, changing the word "Prince" into "princess".^[44] She also appeared on the single "Le Flaneur" from the album Elemental Assets by Estroe in 2009.^[45] In 2010, Miss Kittin was featured on the song "DNA" from the album Ever Since by Xenia Beliayeva.^[46]

On 10 January 2011, Miss Kittin released the single "All You Need" on Mobilee Records. On 28 March, Miss Kittin released a free download of her song "Silver Lake" through SoundCloud to promote Soul Aid, a program to raise money for Civic Force, an emergency relief organization currently operating in Kesennuma after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.^[47][48]

Influences[link]

Hervé has mentioned her admiration for Maurice Dantec, Serge Gainsbourg, Laurent Garnier, Kompakt, Thomas Brinkmann, Sven Väth, Chicks on Speed, Madonna, Prince, Adult., Dopplereffekt, Drexciya, Fischerspooner, Rush, Felix da Housecat, Dr. Dre, Bret Easton Ellis, James Ellroy, Frank Sinatra, Mute Records, Warp Records, Autechre, Boards of Canada, Andrew Weatherall, Richard D. James, Stanley Kubrick,^[49] Cabaret Voltaire, New Order, DAF, Visage, Ultravox, Fad Gadget, Front 242, Depeche Mode,^[50] Kiss, Indochine, and David Bowie.^[51]

Discography[link]

Albums

• Champagne (with The Hacker) (1998)
• Intimités (with The Hacker) (1999)
• First Album (with The Hacker) (2001)
• On the Road (2002)
• Or (with Golden Boy) (2002)
• Radio Caroline Vol.1 (2002)
• I Com (2004)
• Live at Sónar (2006)
• A Bugged Out Mix (2006)
• BatBox (2008)
• Two (with The Hacker) (2009)

Filmography[link]

See also[link]

• List of electroclash bands and artists

References[link]