Try calling Kalika a 'goth slut'

Describing herself as a ‘gadji sensationnelle’ — meaning ‘sensational girl’ — Kalika is the French artist twisting insults into strength. In a world of velveteen touch and old funfair galore, but with an unabashed loudness, Kalika has just released her pop sophomore album ‘MA CLAQUE.’ She doesn’t shy away from ugly, conflicting feelings, but she’d rather scream, cry, and dance right through them.

Drawn to peculiar unsettling beauty, Kalika wraps influences around her fingers with a delicate attention rarely seen today — from the retroes of cabaret and Betty Boop to an edge signed by Harmony Korine. Her long brown locks and bouffant strands nudge ‘trash pin-up’ extravaganza, but with a reverence reserved only for when Isabella Blow is your style muse. Listening to Kalika’s music is entering this distinct world: one that puts you in complete awe, makes you (really) feel, and leaves you with an eeriness prickling right under your skin.

This fall, she’s embarking on her headlining European tour, plus opening for supernova Slayyyter, along the way. We caught up with the pop star to discuss how to spend less time around straight men, her big three (of Gaga, Mylène, and Crystal Castles — that is), and nostalgia for Monster’s discontinued ‘Ultra Citron.’

Coucou Kalika! So you released MA CLAQUE at the end of May. There’s this thread of being fed up that runs through the tracks alongside a crystallised intimacy. Can you tell us more about your state of mind when working on the album?
I literally don’t give a fuck anymore. With my first album, I think I accidentally made myself a bit more digestible musically, even though the lyrics were already very honest. This time I stopped polishing myself. I wanted the production to be just as loud, angry and emotional as the words. Writing the song MA CLAQUE unlocked the whole album for me. Suddenly everything made sense. I wanted to make music people could scream, cry and dance to while still saying something about the world.

Your lyrics are super direct and straight to the point. What’s your writing process like?
Most of my songs start with anger. If something frustrates me and I can’t answer in the moment, it usually becomes a song instead. Someone once told me I’d never appeal to a French audience because I looked ‘too much like a goth slut.’ I wrote PVTE GOTHIQUE instead. That’s basically how I work, I turn anger into pop music.

What does being a “gadji sensationnelle” mean to you?
Someone who exists for herself, not for the male gaze. Someone who doesn’t make herself smaller to make other people comfortable. Someone who can turn insults into strength. 

Any advice on how to become one?
Spend less time around mediocre straight men… maybe become a lesbian. I’m joking. Kind of. 

Lol. You also touch on deeply personal, raw, and painful subjects with unprecedented honesty. How do you navigate putting that level of vulnerability into your music?
I only release songs when I genuinely feel ready. But making the CRAZY video taught me that honesty doesn’t have to mean exposing every wound. The song felt right, but filming it brought back memories I wasn’t expecting. It made me realise art should protect you as much as it reveals you.

I read that Lady Gaga, Mylène Farmer, and Crystal Castles were major inspirations for MA CLAQUE… If you had to pick just one project/album from each artist to take to the grave, what would they be?
Probably The Fame Monster or ARTPOP by Lady Gaga — I genuinely can’t choose. Then L’Autre… by Mylène Farmer and Crystal Castles (II). Those records really shaped the way I think about pop, darkness and emotion.

So going back a bit in time, how did your music journey begin?
I’ve always sung, even though nobody in my family worked in music. Growing up wasn’t always easy, and singing became the place where I could transform reality into something else. Music made me feel like I wasn’t invisible anymore. I moved to Paris when I was 19, wrote hundreds of songs, played every show I could and eventually someone believed in me.

What were some of your most formative references growing up? Any hyper-obsessions back then that still shape who you are today?
I’ve always been obsessed with anything that makes reality feel a little more magical. Funfairs, witches, monsters, childhood memories, family stories… and artists who repaint reality instead of escaping it. I love building worlds that feel nostalgic, colourful and just a little haunted.

You’re heading out on tour for MA CLAQUE and opening Slayyyter’s EU tour (both: wild). What is the energy like for you when you step on stage?
Yeahh, I can’t wait for both! I feel so lucky that Slayyyter chose me for her European tour, she’s the best! When I step on stage I want it to feel like an old-school electronic duo (with Demon V) crashed into a giant pop show. Touring is honestly my favourite part of the job. My goal is to keep making the shows bigger, weirder and more immersive without losing the raw energy. 

If you could put anything on your tour rider — no limits. What’s on it?
Honestly, I think our rider is already pretty complete. It looks like it’s having an existential crisis. It’s constantly torn between wanting to be super healthy and wanting absolute trash.

We’re all into different things, so you’ll find hummus, almonds and vegetarian food sitting right next to Monster, Diplomático, crisps and sweets. The only things I’d add would be really good vegan charcuterie and someone making proper cocktails backstage.

What was on your moodboard for this era of Kalika?
My references mostly come from my own life, my childhood, memories, people I’ve met and things I’ve been obsessed with for years. I love collecting little fragments from everywhere : films by Harmony Korine, old funfairs, drag, cabaret, Betty Boop, Amy Winehouse, Crystal Castles, old fashion magazines, random vintage photos… Then I mix everything together until it feels like it’s its own little universe.

It’s never about recreating a reference exactly. It’s more like asking myself, “What if all these worlds existed together?” That’s usually where my best ideas come from.

Your current on-repeat songs on your phone?
I’ve actually become really picky with music. I think because we’re constantly surrounded by new releases, it takes a lot for something to really stick with me. But lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Keep You by Class Actress again. It’s one of those songs I always come back to. I’ve also had Yes God by Slayyyter, Detour by Kim Petras, and En rouge et noir by Jeanne Mas on repeat. It’s a very chaotic playlist, but somehow it makes sense in my head.

Your favourite Monster flavour?
I actually love trying all the new flavours, so I’m never really loyal to just one. I always end up going back to Ultra White. And I really miss Ultra Citron, it used to be one of my favourites too, but it’s become so much harder to find. So yeah… I keep trying the new ones, but Ultra White is still the one I come back to the most.

If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be and why?
I don’t think I’d actually live there forever, but I’d absolutely spend the holidays in Whoville from The Grinch. I’d also love a weekend in Twin Peaks… as long as I leave before anything terrifying happens. And I’d definitely visit Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, but only as a tourist.

You have a whole year round plan then. Also love your style. Can you tell us more about your day-to-day inspos?
I mostly dress depending on how I feel. I love building little characters around my mood, usually somewhere between a disenchanted princess and a trash pin-up. I’m obsessed with beauty that’s just a little unsettling. I love when something is beautiful enough to draw you in, but strange enough to make you wonder if you should be a little scared.

If you could raid anyone’s wardrobe — dead or alive — whose would it be?
Probably Isabella Blow. Every outfit felt like a character rather than just a look, and I love that. I’d happily spend hours going through her wardrobe. Then I’d quietly steal a few pieces from Leigh Bowery too, because his clothes were basically performance art.

What are you hoping for in the near future?
I just want to keep building this little world. Bigger shows, weirder ideas, more music I’m genuinely proud of, and hopefully more people to share it with. I’d love to keep surprising myself instead of becoming predictable. And maybe get enough sleep once in a while… but let’s not get too ambitious.