THE ONE TRUE DEAD ANGEL : # 02 : interview with Candye Kane

CANDYE KANE INTERVIEW
Candye Kane is the living personification of the blues: Big and bawdy with a voice to match, her life is practically a blues song in itself. She became part of the emerging California punk scene in the early 80s, sharing the stage with bands like Fear, Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, the Cramps, The Blasters, and many more. An abortive attempt at a country and western singing career convinced her she would be more at home singing the blues, and her first blues album, HOME COOKIN', appeared in 1994 on Antone Records. Since then she has recorded six more albums, and her latest one on Ruf Records (Germany), WHITE TRASH GIRL, may well be her best one yet. A former sex worker herself, she routinely champions the rights of people in the sex industry even while touring constantly worldwide, playing up to 250 dates a year. Currently touring to support her new album, Candye was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to blab with DEAD ANGEL, and here's what she had to say:

DA: You recently did a show at the Center for Sex & Culture with Sue Palmer and the Fat-Bottom Burlesque Revue --
how did that turn out? CANDYE: The show was awesome. Carol Queen, who runs the center, is an old friend, as is Heather, who is the brainchild behind the Fat Bottom Burlesque Girls. They dance to many of my songs already and had gone on tour with me up in the northwest. The shows were fabulous up there, so we decided to do it in Heather's hometown and will be doing it again in Phoenix, San Diego and L.A. in the coming weeks. Check my website for further info. We will also be posing together for some photos taken by tv star-turned-photographer Leonard Nimoy for his gallery show Maximum Exposure.

DA: You do a lot of activism for sex workers and related causes. What are you devoting your time to in that sense lately? CANDYE: Between touring 250 days a year, promoting this new cd and writing my memoirs, I have little time for activism recently. But whenever I have the opportunity, I am vocal about how I used my sexwork past to facilitate my musical dreams. In this way, I feel I am helping my sisters and brothers in sexwork and the community at large to look beyond stereotypes and limitations. All of us are more than our bodies, and more than our jobs. We have dreams inside of us and all of us should have a chance to realize our full potential without unnecessary obstacles, whether self-imposed or culturally or morally implied.

DA: An interview you did on The House of Blues Radio Hour with Elwood Blues appears in
ELWOOD'S BLUES: INTERVIEWS WITH THE BLUES LEGENDS AND STARS. What did you think of Elwood? Did he treat you right?

CANDYE: I am a big fan of the Blues Brothers and Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. The interview though, was conducted by someone else. They dub in Akroyd's answers and comments after the interview is taped. So you don't really get to meet him. But I think he is a brilliant guy and his true love and support for blues music is well documented.

DA: What do you think of the book itself? CANDYE: I am always proud to be included in any book or publication. The unfortunate thing is that there is always someone who is overlooked in every book that comes out; myself included. I am glad that this time, I was included.

DA: You have a swell new cd out, WHITE TRASH GIRL, that was recorded here in Austin. How did the recording go and which notables showed up to play? CANDYE: It was great to come back to Austin to record. I think of Austin as my musical home because Clifford Antone was the first person to take a chance on me and sign me to Antone's back in 1992 when I had already been rejected by many other labels. I was lucky because Preston Hubbard and Damien Llanes (Nick Curran's former rhythm section) were available. Preston moved to St. Louis right afterwards. Mark Kaz Kazanoff did an amazing job producing and arranging many of the songs. He is sensitive and kind but knows how to get the job done. Gary Primich, Jeff Ross, Riley Osbourn, Johnny Moeller, David Grissom, and Sarah Brown all contributed ideas and licks to the project.

DA: The artwork (by Scrojo) is amazing. How did that come about? CANDYE: I am lucky because Scrojo lives right down the street from me in San Diego and is a great guy. He designed my first logo and does the artwork for my home town bar, the Belly Up Tavern. I am a big Coop fan because I love the way he portrays big sexy women, but Coop never even responded to my emails or inquiries. Scrojo has a similar style but wasn't too big to do this job. That's what makes him so awesome, besides his great ideas, his humility and accessibility.

DA: The song selection is
great -- how did you decide what to include? Any favorites?

CANDYE: I love all the songs on the record. Each one is a part of me now. I especially love the song my son Tommy wrote, "What Happened to the Girl I Met Here." But all the songs have my heart and soul and personality all over 'em.

DA: So how is the tour progressing? You're playing a lot of dates! Which do you like better, playing the big festivals or small clubs? Indoors or outside? CANDYE: This is a great tour so far. We are playing both smaller clubs and big festivals. Festivals are always the best, of course, because you reach so many more people at once. The accommodations are usually nicer too, because they have bigger budgets. I also like festivals because I run into my other musician friends and have a chance to hang out a bit. On this tour we have hung out with Pat Boyack, Marcia Ball, Guitar Shorty, Hubert Sumlin, Kenny Neal. It's great being entertained by other people for a change.

DA: Your son Evan keeps the beat for you now on tour -- what's it like touring with one of your children in the band? CANDYE: I enjoy having Evan on the road. Because I was such a young mom (16), we grew up together and have always been like brother and sister instead of mom and son. We look out for each other and that part is nice. It's hard on his brother, Tommy Jr; who is 16 and left behind at home. Now when I leave, the house is really empty.

DA: I'm sure you're already anticipating the European tour that starts in November. Are there any particular places you're looking forward to playing?

CANDYE: I always enjoy going to Europe, although it's pretty damn cold in November for this California girl. I'm looking forward to playing the Rhythm Riot in Camber, Great Britain. It's a big roots, R&B and rockabilly festival. I haven't toured much in the UK so this will be fun. I am glad to see that the rockabilly kids are reaching out more to blues and R&B acts. We all love music the old-timey way, even if our hair and clothes aren't perfectly vintage.

DA: Given how much you tour overseas, I'm curious as to what kind of post-9/11 attitude about Americans you're seeing on the other side of the ocean. CANDYE: I think there was a genuine sympathy for us worldwide after 9/11. Europeans were kind and concerned. But after we went into Iraq without the United Nations consensus, we alienated many, many people. Many Europeans perceive us as big bullies now who acted alone and don't really care about the rest of the world's opinions. I have seen things change from a welcoming warm atmosphere to one of skepticism and criticism. I think that is very sad.

DA: What do you think of the whole controversy over the Dove ads (the ones currently running on TV and billboards with the "natural size" models)? CANDYE: I am not sure what the controversy is about. I think it's great that they are using normal-sized women instead of supermodels, but of course I understand why the fashion, diet industry, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries might be terrified. Their livelihood depends on women feeling vulnerable and fearful. If women start accepting themselves the way they are, and being happy the way they are, where will those industries make money? They depend on us feeling inadequate in our own skin, and they depend on the fact that we will buy creams, make ups, diet plans and medicines to cure our disgusting looks and bodies. They don't want us to be happy being average. It would hurt their business.

DA: You may have heard that the video game GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS got recalled and slapped with an "adults-only" rating over nude content that can't even be easily accessed. Do you find it as bizarre as I do that it was okay to show violent shootings and explosions, but showing some cartoon characters getting it on was apparently so awful that we must be shielded from it?

CANDYE: It is no surprise to me that this happened. Every night on prime time television we see guns, violence and murder, but no breasts are ever allowed to be shown, lest they corrupt the American psyche. It's one reason Europeans laugh at us and our Puritanism. We say we are the greatest country in the world, where people are free to do what they wish, but the truth is we are only able to view what the puritan police say is acceptable. Then we sit around and wonder why there are horrible mass murderers and sexual crimes. Guns are okay, but tits are criminal. It's all backward.

DA: What's the scoop on the "Blues Survivor" story? CANDYE: I wrote a story about my experience with the Blues Caravan tour earlier this year. I spent three months in Europe with Sue Foley and Ana Popovic. It can be viewed on www.blueswax.com

DA: You appeared on a Wanda Jackson tribute a while ago. Who else would you appear on tributes for if you had the chance? CANDYE: There are many that have come and gone that I would love to be part of. Janis Joplin, Aretha, Memphis Minnie, Etta James, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Kitty Wells, Janis Martin, Webb Pierce, Johnny Cash, Elton Britt, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Bobby Darin, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Big Maybelle, Big Mama Thornton, Willie Dixon, Tony Bennett, Jimmie Rodgers, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Blondie, Heart, Tom Waits. Too many to name.

DA: I see you've been trying to get on Howard Stern's show -- think you'll have any better luck now that legendary womanizer / loudmouth David Lee Roth is supposed to be taking his place?

CANDYE: I didn't know that Dave was taking his place. Maybe I will have more luck. Dave used to party with me and my friends in Hollywood in the early eighties. We have met many, many times. I can't imagine that Dave would be as funny or as quick as Howard. But maybe he won't be as much of a sizist homophobe either.

DA: So what's happening with your first three albums? They seem to be criminally out of print... any chance somebody's going to reissue any / all of them? CANDYE: My third cd, DIVA LE GRANDE, also recorded in Austin and produced by Dave Alvin and Derek O'Brien, will be re-released in the spring of 2006 on RUF records. The cd features a duet with Big Sandy and the Fly Rite Boys and performances by Toni Price, Ted Roddy, Erik Hokkanen, Mambo Treanor, BE Frosty Smith and Kaz Kazanoff. My first, HOME COOKIN', is available through my website and live shows while supplies last. That one is really poignant because both my kids appear inside and on the cover. They were so little then!

DA: Finally, the world needs to know about the Candye Kane Therapeutic Bra Pillow. Feel free to elaborate on this amazing item.... CANDYE: Porn fans started asking to purchase my used panties and bras. Rather than sell them these items, I decided to make something artistic and useful out of my bras. The pillows are soft and beautiful and just like laying your head on my bosom. They are perfect décor for the bedroom and make great gifts. They are pricey though, because they are guaranteed to have been worn by me.

	CANDYE KANE INTERVIEW Candye Kane is the living personification of the blues: Big and bawdy with a voice to match, her life is practically a blues song in itself. She became part of the emerging California punk scene in the early 80s, sharing the stage with bands like Fear, Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, the Cramps, The Blasters, and many more. An abortive attempt at a country and western singing career convinced her she would be more at home singing the blues, and her first blues album, HOME COOKIN', appeared in 1994 on Antone Records. Since then she has recorded six more albums, and her latest one on Ruf Records (Germany), WHITE TRASH GIRL, may well be her best one yet. A former sex worker herself, she routinely champions the rights of people in the sex industry even while touring constantly worldwide, playing up to 250 dates a year. Currently touring to support her new album, Candye was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to blab with DEAD ANGEL, and here's what she had to say:
DA: You recently did a show at the Center for Sex & Culture with Sue Palmer and the Fat-Bottom Burlesque Revue -- how did that turn out?	CANDYE: The show was awesome. Carol Queen, who runs the center, is an old friend, as is Heather, who is the brainchild behind the Fat Bottom Burlesque Girls. They dance to many of my songs already and had gone on tour with me up in the northwest. The shows were fabulous up there, so we decided to do it in Heather's hometown and will be doing it again in Phoenix, San Diego and L.A. in the coming weeks. Check my website for further info. We will also be posing together for some photos taken by tv star-turned-photographer Leonard Nimoy for his gallery show Maximum Exposure.
DA: You do a lot of activism for sex workers and related causes. What are you devoting your time to in that sense lately?	CANDYE: Between touring 250 days a year, promoting this new cd and writing my memoirs, I have little time for activism recently. But whenever I have the opportunity, I am vocal about how I used my sexwork past to facilitate my musical dreams. In this way, I feel I am helping my sisters and brothers in sexwork and the community at large to look beyond stereotypes and limitations. All of us are more than our bodies, and more than our jobs. We have dreams inside of us and all of us should have a chance to realize our full potential without unnecessary obstacles, whether self-imposed or culturally or morally implied.
DA: An interview you did on The House of Blues Radio Hour with Elwood Blues appears in ELWOOD'S BLUES: INTERVIEWS WITH THE BLUES LEGENDS AND STARS. What did you think of Elwood? Did he treat you right?	CANDYE: I am a big fan of the Blues Brothers and Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. The interview though, was conducted by someone else. They dub in Akroyd's answers and comments after the interview is taped. So you don't really get to meet him. But I think he is a brilliant guy and his true love and support for blues music is well documented.
DA: What do you think of the book itself?	CANDYE: I am always proud to be included in any book or publication. The unfortunate thing is that there is always someone who is overlooked in every book that comes out; myself included. I am glad that this time, I was included.
DA: You have a swell new cd out, WHITE TRASH GIRL, that was recorded here in Austin. How did the recording go and which notables showed up to play?	CANDYE: It was great to come back to Austin to record. I think of Austin as my musical home because Clifford Antone was the first person to take a chance on me and sign me to Antone's back in 1992 when I had already been rejected by many other labels. I was lucky because Preston Hubbard and Damien Llanes (Nick Curran's former rhythm section) were available. Preston moved to St. Louis right afterwards. Mark Kaz Kazanoff did an amazing job producing and arranging many of the songs. He is sensitive and kind but knows how to get the job done. Gary Primich, Jeff Ross, Riley Osbourn, Johnny Moeller, David Grissom, and Sarah Brown all contributed ideas and licks to the project.
DA: The artwork (by Scrojo) is amazing. How did that come about?	CANDYE: I am lucky because Scrojo lives right down the street from me in San Diego and is a great guy. He designed my first logo and does the artwork for my home town bar, the Belly Up Tavern. I am a big Coop fan because I love the way he portrays big sexy women, but Coop never even responded to my emails or inquiries. Scrojo has a similar style but wasn't too big to do this job. That's what makes him so awesome, besides his great ideas, his humility and accessibility.
DA: The song selection is great -- how did you decide what to include? Any favorites?	CANDYE: I love all the songs on the record. Each one is a part of me now. I especially love the song my son Tommy wrote, "What Happened to the Girl I Met Here." But all the songs have my heart and soul and personality all over 'em.
DA: So how is the tour progressing? You're playing a lot of dates! Which do you like better, playing the big festivals or small clubs? Indoors or outside?	CANDYE: This is a great tour so far. We are playing both smaller clubs and big festivals. Festivals are always the best, of course, because you reach so many more people at once. The accommodations are usually nicer too, because they have bigger budgets. I also like festivals because I run into my other musician friends and have a chance to hang out a bit. On this tour we have hung out with Pat Boyack, Marcia Ball, Guitar Shorty, Hubert Sumlin, Kenny Neal. It's great being entertained by other people for a change.
DA: Your son Evan keeps the beat for you now on tour -- what's it like touring with one of your children in the band?	CANDYE: I enjoy having Evan on the road. Because I was such a young mom (16), we grew up together and have always been like brother and sister instead of mom and son. We look out for each other and that part is nice. It's hard on his brother, Tommy Jr; who is 16 and left behind at home. Now when I leave, the house is really empty.
DA: I'm sure you're already anticipating the European tour that starts in November. Are there any particular places you're looking forward to playing?	CANDYE: I always enjoy going to Europe, although it's pretty damn cold in November for this California girl. I'm looking forward to playing the Rhythm Riot in Camber, Great Britain. It's a big roots, R&B and rockabilly festival. I haven't toured much in the UK so this will be fun. I am glad to see that the rockabilly kids are reaching out more to blues and R&B acts. We all love music the old-timey way, even if our hair and clothes aren't perfectly vintage.
DA: Given how much you tour overseas, I'm curious as to what kind of post-9/11 attitude about Americans you're seeing on the other side of the ocean.	CANDYE: I think there was a genuine sympathy for us worldwide after 9/11. Europeans were kind and concerned. But after we went into Iraq without the United Nations consensus, we alienated many, many people. Many Europeans perceive us as big bullies now who acted alone and don't really care about the rest of the world's opinions. I have seen things change from a welcoming warm atmosphere to one of skepticism and criticism. I think that is very sad.
DA: What do you think of the whole controversy over the Dove ads (the ones currently running on TV and billboards with the "natural size" models)?	CANDYE: I am not sure what the controversy is about. I think it's great that they are using normal-sized women instead of supermodels, but of course I understand why the fashion, diet industry, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries might be terrified. Their livelihood depends on women feeling vulnerable and fearful. If women start accepting themselves the way they are, and being happy the way they are, where will those industries make money? They depend on us feeling inadequate in our own skin, and they depend on the fact that we will buy creams, make ups, diet plans and medicines to cure our disgusting looks and bodies. They don't want us to be happy being average. It would hurt their business.
DA: You may have heard that the video game GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS got recalled and slapped with an "adults-only" rating over nude content that can't even be easily accessed. Do you find it as bizarre as I do that it was okay to show violent shootings and explosions, but showing some cartoon characters getting it on was apparently so awful that we must be shielded from it?	CANDYE: It is no surprise to me that this happened. Every night on prime time television we see guns, violence and murder, but no breasts are ever allowed to be shown, lest they corrupt the American psyche. It's one reason Europeans laugh at us and our Puritanism. We say we are the greatest country in the world, where people are free to do what they wish, but the truth is we are only able to view what the puritan police say is acceptable. Then we sit around and wonder why there are horrible mass murderers and sexual crimes. Guns are okay, but tits are criminal. It's all backward.
DA: What's the scoop on the "Blues Survivor" story?	CANDYE: I wrote a story about my experience with the Blues Caravan tour earlier this year. I spent three months in Europe with Sue Foley and Ana Popovic. It can be viewed on www.blueswax.com
DA: You appeared on a Wanda Jackson tribute a while ago. Who else would you appear on tributes for if you had the chance?	CANDYE: There are many that have come and gone that I would love to be part of. Janis Joplin, Aretha, Memphis Minnie, Etta James, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Kitty Wells, Janis Martin, Webb Pierce, Johnny Cash, Elton Britt, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Bobby Darin, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Big Maybelle, Big Mama Thornton, Willie Dixon, Tony Bennett, Jimmie Rodgers, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Blondie, Heart, Tom Waits. Too many to name.
DA: I see you've been trying to get on Howard Stern's show -- think you'll have any better luck now that legendary womanizer / loudmouth David Lee Roth is supposed to be taking his place?	CANDYE: I didn't know that Dave was taking his place. Maybe I will have more luck. Dave used to party with me and my friends in Hollywood in the early eighties. We have met many, many times. I can't imagine that Dave would be as funny or as quick as Howard. But maybe he won't be as much of a sizist homophobe either.
DA: So what's happening with your first three albums? They seem to be criminally out of print... any chance somebody's going to reissue any / all of them?	CANDYE: My third cd, DIVA LE GRANDE, also recorded in Austin and produced by Dave Alvin and Derek O'Brien, will be re-released in the spring of 2006 on RUF records. The cd features a duet with Big Sandy and the Fly Rite Boys and performances by Toni Price, Ted Roddy, Erik Hokkanen, Mambo Treanor, BE Frosty Smith and Kaz Kazanoff. My first, HOME COOKIN', is available through my website and live shows while supplies last. That one is really poignant because both my kids appear inside and on the cover. They were so little then!
DA: Finally, the world needs to know about the Candye Kane Therapeutic Bra Pillow. Feel free to elaborate on this amazing item....	CANDYE: Porn fans started asking to purchase my used panties and bras. Rather than sell them these items, I decided to make something artistic and useful out of my bras. The pillows are soft and beautiful and just like laying your head on my bosom. They are perfect décor for the bedroom and make great gifts. They are pricey though, because they are guaranteed to have been worn by me.