It is in Fort Lauderdale that our monthly conversation with pop star Van Hechter was planned and I have to say I am very excited! I myself am visiting the Sunshine State, so why not meet under a palm tree?
Off the bat, I have to say: I’m getting attached to Hechter, his world, his unique ways… Being around him feels like entering a parallel universe… He’s 300% real but from a different reality. And my goal is to bring his world to yours…
Music Authentic: So, here we are in Fort Lauderdale… You come here a lot, don’t you? Why?
Van Hechter: I was conceived here, I was happy as a toddler here, I have great friends here. It feels like home. I’m quite tired and I have a busy Fall/Winter season ahead: the sun and sea, will do me a world of good! I always return super recharged after a stay here!
Music Authentic: Your new album, ”Hot Damn!” is starting to buzz. If you were to make a wish in terms of ”where this album will bring you”, what would it be?
Van Hechter: A wish… Hmm. I wish to bring this album in the form of a ”Cabaret” with moi MCing, doing slapstick, interacting with the crowd, inventing silly contests on the sot, next to DJs and modernized 1950’s chic everywhere I can! My shows don’t only revolve around me: I create parties in which I sing the songs. I love that formula because it also allows me to bring in other acts – and the real star is the audience.
Music Authentic: Who do you write for?
Van Hechter: I think anyone who transforms pain into glitter! Life is beautiful but also hard. When rough patches hit, and they do for everyone, we have choices: complacency or metamorphosis… I choose metamorphosis. And so do my fans. I’m not saying ”Don’t cry when devastated”, I say ”Cry all you need then use the tears to create something beautiful afterwards”…
Music Authentic: I love ”No Answer’s Not An Answer”, anything to say about that particular track?
Van Hechter: The thinking behind ”No answer is an answer” bothers me. And don’t get me started on ghosting! It’s too easy! I believe in making an effort towards all people, even strangers. There’s always a way to decline in a manner that doesn’t hurt a person. Just it requires 3 minutes of thinking. Are we there, socially? No time for curtesy- yet enough time to scroll idiocies on feeds that often feed us nothing? Well if so: I hate it!
Music Authentic: Do you have any shows planned in the next months? The album is so good, it has to go on the road!
Van Hechter: I know… It has to. And it’s all going way too slow for my liking! But I can announce a fantastic night on October 17th in Montreal at Sky Pub. I inaugurate ”Neo-Disco Cabaret” in my home town! Super fun! And in November I fly to Manhattan where on top of promoting ”Hot Damn” I’ll perform all LGBTQ-themed duets DJ Chauncey Dandridge and I have released together. What comes next is still up in the air so I can’t talk until things are clearly set-up.
Music Authentic: What would you do if you weren’t a musician?
Van Hechter: I always tell my Montreal friends that I’d want to host at a restaurant called ”St-Hubert”, which is a BBQ Chicken chain. I even practice my greeting sentence, just in case: ”Côté resto ou côté bistro???”… I get a lot of laughs from this. But hey, you gotta have a plan B in life, haha! And I’d actually enjoy it. So long as I am not sitting at a desk and interacting with lots of people, I’m happy.
Music Authentic: You’re funny. I actually totally see you as a host, though… People would come just for you. Change of topic… Love?
Van Hechter: What about it? I’m just pretending I don’t know what you’re getting at… Ok ok, I’ll indulge you. I am single and quite ready to stay that way for a very long time or forever even, yet I’m not closed to love. It’s just- I’m very picky and certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. I mean, I lead a life that seems bizarre to many and I am not your average man. Probabilities are slimmer for someone like I … Plus I’ll never be in a relationship just to be in one. I need the thunderbolt… So, I’d rather enjoy my life as a bachelor and if something great shows up: I’ll grab the opportunity.
Music Authentic: Last: what do you look forward to most while in Fort Lauderdale and where are you staying?
Van Hechter: Ok so, this time around I am staying at The Big Coconut Guesthouse, it’s owned by David Medici who is a friend. I love the layout, I love the team (Hazel, Matthew)- also friends… It’s a great place to relax. I’ve got 2 other buddies, John & Garry who own a new adorable guesthouse a few streets away: The Peacock. I alternate from one to the other: both are cozy and equally fun in different ways. Next trip I’ll stay with them. Jeeezzz you’d think I was doing a commercial!
What I look forward to most? My very long walks to/on/from the beach, catching up with some of my favorite people I miss between visits and of course: Disco dancing on Sundays at Hunter’s!
Links:
Van‘s new album
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7u3uVRB0kOkVtGqzbk26Dn
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/album/579816831
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDocOJMkIfM&list=OLAK5uy_kA2TDY4xWL9WE7rgQkP2UFg4g5Dyz8KG0
And if you should be in Montreal, Canada on October 17th…
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neo-disco-cabaret-tickets-980170896537