Eventually, I found myself in a godforsaken corner of this fortress. This tiny broom closet, where I was to chat with la grande dame Kaas, turned out to be her dressing room. Besides a coat rack with a mirror, there was barely space for a small sofa, where we both settled in. There, I had a delightful conversation with her about her tribute to Edith Piaf, commemorating fifty years since the passing of this 'French immortal'. It’s a tour that takes her to 45 countries and the most prestigious theatres around the world. I couldn’t help but wonder if she still finds joy in every performance. Patricia Kaas: "I hope so. Every concert is different because I’m performing in a new place and for a different audience each time. Of course, there are days when it’s a bit harder because I’m constantly on the road, travelling back and forth. And after a hundred concerts, yes, it does feel different. I go on stage, and, okay, I do my show, my job. But on the other hand, I love performing for an audience. It’s usually before and after the show that I feel a bit more tired and lazy. But when I’m on stage, something always happens." "It’s always a challenge to give the best of myself."■ ■I can imagine that if the audience goes wild during a concert, it must give a special feeling. Can you explain what that does for you as an entertainer? Patricia Kaas: "I’m not the kind of artist people go completely wild for. My audience is usually thirty and older. They’re not totally silent, but they’re not shouting across the hall either. And I love that. It shows respect for me because they’re really listening to my songs. Actually, I wouldn’t enjoy a show where the audience starts screaming as soon as the music begins, before I’ve even done anything, just because I’m standing there. I have a bit more of a reserved audience, but I really love that. It’s always a challenge to give the best of myself. And if they do end up getting a little wild, it makes me feel that they appreciate what I’m doing and are happy with my performance." "I wanted to share things people haven’t heard before."■ ■The tour you’re doing now is a tribute to Edith Piaf. What is your connection to Piaf? Patricia Kaas: "Honestly, there’s no direct link between me and Piaf. When I was young, I’d sometimes sing ‘La vie en rose’ and ‘Sous le ciel de Paris’, and when I started my career in Paris, people would occasionally compare me to her. I didn’t have the same life as her, of course, but I did have a lot of emotions from my rich life experiences, and I knew pain, partly from losing my parents at a young age. Those feelings and emotions help me interpret Piaf’s songs deeply. Two years ago, the people around me asked if I wanted to do a tribute to Piaf, as 2013 marked fifty years since her passing. They asked if I had the courage to take that on. For me, two things were crucial. First, I didn’t want to be just another copy. I wanted to pay homage in my own way, how I saw it and wanted to do it. And second, I was clear that this project had to be on stage. I wanted to go beyond simply singing her songs and performing pieces that the audience already knows. I wanted to share things people haven’t heard before. I wanted to bring out the emotions Piaf experienced through pain, joy, and her faith in God. I also had many images in my mind of the streets of Paris back then, and I wanted to portray them in today’s streets, with graffiti and hip-hop dancers. The composer Abel Korzeniowski, with whom I worked, had drama and emotion that reminded me of Piaf, though in his own modern way of creating." "Just before a performance, I sometimes feel like I’m going crazy."■ ■As you just mentioned, Piaf had a difficult life, yet there was immense strength in her songs. I can hear that strength in your performances too. Where do you find your own strength? Patricia Kaas: "I’m not sure. Maybe it’s simply from life itself, from losing my parents and choosing not to dwell on it but to fight through life. It also comes from staying positive and always trying to see the light at the other end of the tunnel, no matter how many times you have to go through it. The audience gives me a lot of energy as well. Sometimes I feel tired, like I can’t do it, like I need a shoulder to lean on. Just before a performance, I sometimes feel like I’m going crazy. But then I go on stage, and something happens—I can’t quite explain what it is. After the show, I end up on the dressing room floor, rolling around like a madwoman until I’m completely spent. But during the performance, I’m always calm." "I know I always give my best, so the audience likely won’t be disappointed."■ ■I do small performances myself from time to time, and I always get nervous, even though I’ve stood in front of an audience hundreds of times. I wondered if a big artist like you still gets nervous too? Patricia Kaas: "Maybe when my family is in the audience. Or if one of my composers or producers is there. Then, I really want to do better, but I usually end up doing the opposite. (laughs) The start of this tour was also nerve-wracking for me because, after all, I’m paying tribute to Edith Piaf. But when I step on stage, I usually think: ‘These people are here because they love what I do’. I also know I always give my best, so the audience likely won’t be disappointed. These thoughts help me feel much less nervous. Besides, I’ve been performing on stage since I was very young, so it’s not like I made a few albums and only then started performing. I did it the other way around, so maybe I’m just at home on stage." "Maybe the song was too slow or just not the right one, I have no idea."■ ■In 2009, you represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest. But I imagine you didn’t really need that for your career since you were already quite famous. Why did you do it? Patricia Kaas: "It wasn’t really necessary for my career; I saw it more as a challenge. Why not? So I did it. It was ten crazy days. And of course, I was disappointed that I didn’t bring home the top prize, because I didn’t go there just to sing a song. But on the other hand, I didn’t want to sing any differently from how I am. I sang what I felt. Maybe the song was too slow or just not the right one, I have no idea. But on the other hand, two million more people than usual in France were watching the festival, and those people had respect for me. But of course, I was also scared when I came back to France. Scared that people would think, ‘Look, she couldn’t do it'. But in the end, everyone was very kind and said, ‘Well done. Beautiful. It was classy’. Through this experience, I also learned a lot of new things. And if I look back now, I would choose the same song again." "It’s a celebration, and for a good cause, so it’s great to be part of that."■ ■You are also one of the main performers at the annual ‘Les Enfoirés’ concerts. Is it important for you to do something for charity? Patricia Kaas: "Yes, it’s definitely important. Of course, it depends on how someone does it. I’m not the type to stand on a barricade and say, ‘You must do this or that'. I’m not good at that. But I can raise my voice by getting on stage and being there. By bringing a smile and giving a free concert. That’s important because fans are often very close and try to think like me, which isn’t always good, but in the end, it’s good to be on that stage. Even if it only helps a little. And ‘Les Enfoirés’ concerts are fun, all the French artists come together, and it feels like a big party for an entire week. It’s a celebration, and for a good cause, so it’s great to be part of that." "Sometimes I enjoy doing things that aren’t obvious, even though it’s risky."■ ■You have also won many awards throughout your career, but what do you think is the most beautiful award you could ever win for yourself as a person, as a human being? Not so much as an artist. Patricia Kaas: "That’s difficult to say. But my most beautiful gift is that I’ve been able to do what I love for the last 25 years. I’ve had some albums that were less successful than others, which is normal, but I think people understand my choices. What’s most important is that I don’t get bored with what I do. Sometimes I enjoy doing things that aren’t obvious, even though it’s risky. I’m also very grateful for the people who have always been there for me and who collaborate with me during my shows. On a personal level, it’s a bit more difficult because my life is simply being an artist. One thing is connected to the other. And of course, it’s nice to receive an award for a song from one of my albums, but the most beautiful gift remains the audience. And the most beautiful thing in the end is the love you receive from someone." Hanan I travel the world to find unexpected stories. 28 November 2012 updated 27 January 2025 You Might Like This Loved this one? Hanan picked a few more you might like. Your voice!
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