He’s been named ”Artist of the month” 3 times in the last 5 years on our music blog, he’s had charting singles, we thoroughly enjoy his ”indie” often comedic music videos, most of all we love him.
Honestly, I was missing his solar energy so I just improvised an interview he agreed to do, in Montreal, the next day.
Hello Van Hechter!
Spontaneous interviews like this one are my favorite- when you have nothing specific to promote… Just 2 buddies meeting up: it’s fun!
– Hello stranger! You’re right: I have absolutely nothing to promote right now. Just here to shoot the breeze with you!
I want to discuss something that’s been intriguing me.
– Oh dear! I’m scared…
I heard you say, at a cocktail party that one day you’d completely retire from nudity. Yet your body is very much a part of your work: you wear tailored suits, but you also do semi-nude photography: this will end abruptly at some point?
– Yes! It’s a form of vanity, I guess. As soon as I no longer find myself attractive naked: I am closing that shop FOREVER! Nobody will ever see me nude again- aside from the morgue person. I want to leave people with a nice image in mind: this includes friends and lovers. I’m probably good for 2 more decades, mind you.
Who do you think shouldn’t pose shirtless?
– If Iggy Pop had stopped appearing shirtless 15 years ago, we’d only remember this INCREDIBLY fit man whose physical shape defied the laws of nature. Of course, he does what he wants and honestly showing himself the way he is, is beneficial to a youth-obsessed society. But I’m big on mystique, you see… I like to remain a fantasy.
So you don’t want to show reality?
– I want to show what I imagine should be reality. That’s my artistic pursuit. My world is a parallel one, in which the improbable becomes a norm.
I also heard you say to a makeup artist who wanted to make you look natural ”Natural isn’t Van. The more artifice on me the better I look”…
– My father- God bless his soul- was the first one to notice this… ”You’re erased until someone hands you a prop to play with, a costume to wear or a tube of mascara. From that point on you become exotic and people gravitate towards you”… I come to life through artifice. It’s just who I am.
What are you working on now?
– I’m recording an EP and we’re at the stage of placing harmonies. For the most part, I do my own back vocals which is a lot of fun. Then towards the end of the month, I have photo shoots: album cover, promo pictures… Right now is relatively chill, but August is going to be nuts and I’ll be half-dead come September which is ok- I never bitch about working.
That’s right, Montreal Pride is in August not June! What have you got on schedule?
– Well aside from my regular nights at Orage Private Club, I’ve got Stonewall coming to us this year, from Manhattan: Chauncey Dandridge is flying in (of course- I mean, we are musical brothers after all) but also drag queen Betty Buttons will visit… So on Pride week I’ve got something for a bank with Ben Radcliffe featuring Chauncey, on August 6th we celebrate Pride at Orage with the NYC gang, the following day we are at a restaurant in the Village to spread our ”Disco Borther” silliness, I have street shows for the city of Montreal August 16th and 30th plus 2 kinky cruises with a guy I absolutely adore: DJ Sundown.
And you’re still single?
– Status quo since our last conversation. Absolutely single. And I like it. I mean I’m open, but being with someone is certainly not a need in my case. We’re all wired differently, I suppose. I don’t feel like a half is missing when alone. And I believe it’s an absolute mistake when people think single equates with looser.
And you don’t feel lonely? – Nohhhhhh! It’s very important to face oneself, with no noise around. And it’s even more important to enjoy one’s own company!
What are 3 mistakes people make in our civilization?
– Fear of being thought of as crazy or bizarre but more generally fear of what people think – which kills all creativity, believing that there is such a thing as an infallible life plan, last and possibly the hardest to come to terms with- thinking life will be fair- it just isn’t and we can’t control certain things.
And you are lucky?
– Yes! INCREDIBLY lucky! And that’s totally unfair to people who work just as hard or harder than I do, and don’t have my luck! Nothing is owed. Waking up healthy in the morning is already a gift. I like you… You’re deeply cool.
Change of topic: what are your favorite songs this summer?
– Well I like you too otherwise I wouldn’t do this interview! Hmmmmm, this summer I am loving ”Runway” by Lady Gaga & Doechii, ”Dance No More” by Harry Styles, ”I Just Might” by Bruno Mars and I’ve been listening to ”Pizza aux Ananas” & ”Mucho Love” by Sainte-Croix who is a buddy of mine- he’s so talented. Madonna’s new album, in my very humble opinion, is one of her strongest in 20 years. Last, I am obsessed with ”Slumber Party” by Brigitte Calls Me Baby! I play it on loop! Of course, I listen to jazz, bossa nova, deeper house, French beach tunes, neo-disco. But my ”pop” picks of the moment are those I just mentioned.
What do you do to get ready for a photo shoot?
– 3 weeks before one, I cut out nuts (good fats but still fattening) and blue cheese (pure joy for me). Also, I add more cardio time to my workouts. I’m ripped year ’round but for pictures I like to drop 5lbs. On camera it looks better.
What do you do to get ready for a recording session?
– Practice like a crazy person because I’m flat if I don’t! I have a good voice but it doesn’t come without effort. I know colleagues who are always on pitch: I admire them deeply because that gift wasn’t handed to me. I gotta slave to sound good. You’re an entertainer but also you’re very entertaining in general- you make people laugh a lot.
Who entertains you?
– My 5 best friends, a few French cousins, more recently the Orage gang with whom a have literally fallen in love— all crazy, all hilarious in their own way and last but not least: myself! I’m fortunate that way: I see comedy everywhere and sort of self-entertain a lot.
I want to end this on a game…
– Ok GO! Chocolate…
– White or black no milk! Wine – White very dry!
Rugby player or swimmer?
– Both, and hockey player and marathon runner and construction guy and fireman and mechanic…
You crack me up! Hahahah! Shower Gel or Cologne?
– Both, but if I have to pick one it’ll be Cologne which I drench myself in.
Sex-appeal is? – A body that’s moved all its life + deep confidence.
Berries…
– Raspberry, Cherry on the top of my list…
Favorite body part on a woman…
– Long gazelle legs- I go straight for 5 minutes! And don’t ask what my favorite body part on a man is: I’ll refuse to answer!
Hahahhahaha ok ok ok! Biggest kink:
– Scent Life is…
– A cabaret ol’ chum! Truly!
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M.T.V.rock 