MOST of us mere mortals would find being in the same room as rap royalty Jay-Z and Kanye West rather intimidating. Add the presence of fierce pop diva Beyonce and the whole scenario becomes, well, somewhat terrifying.
But it takes more than being surrounded by three of music’s heavyweights to overwhelm Connie Mitchell, better known as Miss Connie from electro-pop act Sneaky Sound System.
The fearless singer-songwriter – known as much for her taste-making fashion as her powerhouse vocals – made headlines last December during Jay-Z and U2’s Australian tour when she joined the trio in a recording session for Jay-Z and West’s forthcoming album Watch the Throne. Beyonce, meanwhile, was upstairs working on her own newly released LP, 4.
“She’s lovely and an amazing artist but she’s just like everybody else…we’re all flesh and bone and we all rot in graves,” the straight-shooting Mitchell laughed.
“I had Jay-Z bringing me tea all night and we all had dinner together, but it just felt like: ‘this is what I do for a living and it’s what they do for a living too’.”
Collaborating with big guns aside, Mitchell – who has a serious penchant for restoring and racing vintage cars – is in the midst of a new era with Sneaky Sound System.
There is the soon-to-be-released third album (the first with the Modular label), a new formation (MC Daimon Downey departed to pursue a career in art) and a new design aesthetic – gone are the pops of colour in favour of monochrome stylings.
Oh, and there’s a bold new hair-do – with Mitchell’s famed fro getting the peroxide treatment.
“That was (guitarist and producer) Angus’ (McDonald) suggestion and I’m not adverse to change so I was more than happy to do it…besides, it’s only hair,” she said, with another raucous laugh.
“(As for the change in aesthetic), you can’t stagnate in music …you got to put your balls on the line every time.”
Indeed, the duo have pushed the boundaries with a risque clip for the LP’s first single, We Love – think Austin Powers-inspired sexual innuendo.
“We shot it in London and Angus and I did a part but then had to catch a plane and leave, and then when we saw the first draft, which was 10 times (more risqué) than it is now. We were shocked – what will my mother or grandmother say about this?” she giggled.
“Blame the director!”
Sneaky Sound System is at The Bakery, Northbridge, on July 6.