Klaus Nomi 1982 interview

From French TV. With clips from the video of The Nomi Song (not the documentary).

Translation by anonymous:

Interviewer : When you arrived to NY, how did you earn a living?

Klaus : Hum... like Rudolph Valentino*. Hehe, kidding. Well, I did everything, even dirty jobs, like dishwashing or delivery boy for a grocer, delivering flowers, cooking, peeling vegetables... it was a curious story, up to a point it became unbearable. The urge to sing was stronger, so one day I performed in a club and it was very successful ; then I could give up all those dreadful jobs, and devote my time to music.

Interviewer : Why did you choose that name, "Nomi"?

Klaus : It was on inspiration. I think the name sounds good, it doesn't really have a certain national taste, you know, it could be any nation, because I see myself as universal, not as German, American, French ot whatever you want, cause we are all on this planet, we're all living on the earth.

Interviewer : It's not enough for you to be Nomi, you must also wear the Nomi symbol?

Klaus : well you know now I'm in the business, I like to promote myself, ans I think this is a very nice badge, this is my own design.

Interviewer : It was said about you that you were either the 8th wonder of the world, or a tragic accident of the nature. What do you think of this definition?

Klaus : oh it's wonderful, it's extraordinary. I hope it's true.

Interviewer : Who has drawn your costume?

Klaus : I have.**

Interviewer : What does it mean ? (seeing Klaus' hesitation) Nothing?

Klaus : I don't know. I hope it means something, people talk about it a lot.

Interviewer : Why this clown-like, cold make-up?

Klaus : I don't think it's clown-like, I don't think it's cold. It's very theatrical, very intense. It's an unnatural make-up, made for stage. It's like a doll or a cartoon. You see it once and never forget it.

Interviewer : Why are you hiding behind this make-up?

Klaus : I'm not really hiding, I'm showing out, because the way I am it's hard to look like a normal person. You know, in the streets, when I was a kid, people always said I looked strange, and it made me feel very unhappy. And all of a sudden I go on stage, and people like me for that ; but as soon as I'm outside, I feel like I have to hide, because people laugh at me, because of the way I look. Now I'm using this look, it works for me, I even exagerate it. I used to hide my large forehead, but now I'm selling it.

Interviewer : How do you.. work your voice?

Klaus : I think I do have my own technique, because I've been disappointed by teachers, maybe because i didn't meet the good one. I don't like to depend on teachers anyway. So I'm walking on my own way, and I try to be as natural as I can. I think it's the only way to be yourself.

Interviewer : What kind of music do you listen to?

Klaus : Oh... honestly, all of them. You know, I like to try things, to experience, especially with electronic music.

Interviewer : Are tou touched by modern life issues, or do you live in your own world, in your own character?

Klaus : I feel threatened, and sometimes it makes me angry because I can't do anything about that, there's just too many issues. But in a way I think my work is meant to get people out of that.

Interviewer : I read that you wanted to be a magical character..

Klaus : Well I think it's a nice to be a little magical. Today we need this. All that we can read in fairy tales or books, I think somewhere it's all around us. But nowadays we can think that this magic has been killed, and I try to make it survive as long as possible.

Interviewer : Do you want to become a star?

Klaus : I don't know what that really means... I want to accomplish my work and fulfil my dreams, and do something with my life, and I hope I'll be able to accomplish it. It's very much work, but I like it.

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#Klaus #Nomi #1982 #interview #French #TV #the #nomi #song

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