Photo courtesy of Mykki Blanco.
This is SOUND ADVICE, a weekly destination for playlists curated by Interview’s friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gathered playlists from Weezer, Soulwax, and 1LDK. This week’s playlist comes courtesy of multi-hyphenate artist and nomad Mykki Blanco. His fourth studio album, CAFE PARADISO, out today, is a 40-minute burst of energy with hints of twee and electro, or, in his own words, “alive, playful, and kinky.” To celebrate the album release, he sent us over a rowdy mix of songs fit for late nights spent exploring somewhere new. He also answered our questionnaire, sounding off on everything from West Village girls to life in Tangier, and why nostalgia is a bad habit.
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Where do you dance?
I dance at house parties and I dance at after hours. I’m single right now so I’m usually flirting, trying to make someone laugh or fooling around on the roof or in the bathroom. I would like a husband. Let’s see.
What’s a song you wish you wrote?
“Playground Love” by Air.
Best neighborhood in New York City?
I don’t know about neighborhood, but first I sit at Lucien with Zak for a few hours, order a few drinks. Zak has a tea or a coffee and we people watch and gossip about everyone. Then, I go to Division street and am inside Dese’s apartment in a vortex till 9 or so, and she’ll probably cook if she’s in the mood. Then, it’s the streets, hopefully a loft or apartment, but maybe just hanging out in the street. I don’t really hang out with gay people in New York. Being gay is more fun in Europe, and I rarely go to Brooklyn.
Dream collab, dead or alive?
I think Moses from the Bible would really tear on a track. I also have the same birthday as Serge Gainsbourg, so that’s always been a dream to languish idle on one of Serge’s croons.
Who are your style icons?
I’ve always had incredible taste. I was born with it, but it likely was passed on from my grandmother Inez Butler and then my mother. I grew up in a ’90s, single-parent home, but surrounded by beautiful objects. I’m from the South, but also from the Bay Area. Growing up between a very preppy, traditional southern vibe and new-age, hippie freaks was a good mix. I just turned 40 and I think I look the best I’ve ever looked. This is gonna be a fun decade.
What would an IRL Cafe Paradiso look like?
So Cafe Paradiso is really based on 3 real locations. The Kibitz Room attached to Canters Deli in L.A. I lived right behind there for almost 2 years and I would love to go and order gin and tonics and a meatloaf and sit on Grindr casually and watch Goodfellas on the TV inside the bar. Extremely relaxing. Then, there is Lucien in NYC. If you’ve been going there for years, it really does feel like a second living room. The third place would be Café Tingis in Tangier. I live in Tangier now, in Morocco. It’s wonderful, I’m never leaving, I finally found my place.
What’s overrated?
Fashion. I hate to shit on anyone’s dreams, but the entire world should stop making clothing for 2 years. I think, in the future, society won’t allow new clothing to be made every year. There is too much waste and pollution related to clothing when we literally have enough quality, well-made, cool clothing to last generations.
If you had to choose a film to complement your album, which would it be and why?
Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Dreamers. To stay inside a beautiful apartment for days on end as if the outside world doesn’t exist. Just you, a few lovers, and the music.
Thoughts on West Village girls?
We used to hang out in the West Village a lot back in the day. Parties at The Jane Hotel, $5 Corner Bistro burgers. Julius is still awesome, I think the Beatrice Inn was a really fun and cool moment looking back. NYC needs to get mean again, exclusive and bitchy. Everyone got nice and the city is overrun with lames now. There is nothing wrong with a little elitism. No one wants to be a snob anymore and that’s why you have transplants embarrassing everyone waiting in hour-long lines for croissants.
What’s the most memorable performance you’ve ever done?
This is difficult to answer because my performance is kinda what I’m known for. Like, I’m not a celebrity, but I have my little cult fame because I’m really, really great on stage. It’s, like, my calling card. I try to make every concert I do next level because that’s my thing.
What decade are you most nostalgic for?
I never look back. You should always be most happy with your life NOW.
Describe this new album in three words:
Alive, playful, and kinky.
