 Ke$ha has been lighting up the airwaves and killin’ it on stage. After her breakthrough appearance on Flo Rida's number one single, "Right Round," she took off to the top of the charts with her own releases in 2010. While producing two number one hits, "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R", and a handful of other Billboard top tens, Ke$ha also lent her songwriting abilities to other notable artists, including co-writing "Till the World Ends" for Britney Spears.
We connected with the young star after a break in touring to talk about her experiences on the road, what’s next for her, and of course, Korg:
KORG: You’re a big deal these days, Ke$ha! How did you begin your journey as an artist? Any major inspirations, influences?
Ke$ha: My mom is a songwriter and back in the day, was an artist. One of my very earliest memories is when I was a very little girl sitting in her guitar case on stage, watching her perform. I have been writing songs and singing since I was really little. While I was in high school in Tennessee, Dr. Luke discovered me and had me come out to L.A. to work with him…and the rest is history!
KORG: People are loving Animal, the follow-up EP Cannibal, and also your remix album I Am The Dance Commander + I Command You To Dance. You’re currently on tour supporting these releases…do you have any stories from recording or recent performances that stick out in your mind?
Ke$ha: I have a ton of stories from the road...but…you know…"what happens on the road”... My tour was called Get $leazy and I had Spank Rock and LMFAO out on the tour opening for me.
I also just played a show with Alice Cooper at the Whisky in L.A., which was the experience of a lifetime and the first time he's played there since 1969, which was with Zeppelin. Robbie Krieger was there and performed, and I got to hang with Paul Stanley, Tom Morello, Rob Zombie, and Cheech! I got onstage with Alice for "School's Out" and had a blast.
KORG: That’s awesome! Let’s talk gear- You’ve been using a few Korgs on stage lately, including a KAOSSILATOR PRO that you’ve got hanging from a big necklace…what drew you to that idea?
Ke$ha: I knew the KAOSSILATOR PRO could make really cool laser-like sounds which I wanted to use in “Take It Off.” The idea to hang it from a giant chain was mine because who doesn’t want some bling?
KORG: Good point. What are your favorite features or sounds?
Ke$ha: I use a lot of pads on my Korg MS2000 and I use effects from another KAOSS Pad with it. They’re really smooth but not typical and work great for my music. My band mates both also have Korgs in their rigs. My guitarist/synth player Max also has an MS2000 and my keyboard player Jenn uses a microKORG.
KORG: What advice would you give to a young aspiring artist?
Ke$ha: Never give up and don't take “no” for an answer.
KORG: True dat. Anything else going on in your world?
Ke$ha: I'm working on my next record and recently got to collaborate with one of my biggest idols, Alice Cooper, and being the devil on an Alice Cooper record is pretty badass. I also just worked on an amazing new project with Bob Ezrin…so make sure you check for that soon.
KORG: We definitely will. Is there anything else you can say about Korg?
Ke$ha: Korgs have been great for my live show. They have a versatile sound palette, we’ve been around the world with them and they’re amazingly durable and can keep up with our rock and roll pace!
KORG: Very cool. Thanks, Ke$ha!
For more info on Ke$ha, visit www.keshasparty.com
Photo Courtesy of Bud Light
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