Kristen MANN : "The next step is to start performing"

Do not believe that Kristen speaks here about basketball : the deal with her was exactly not to speak about it ! No, it is "only" about her music that she's speaking, one of the themes that our favorite American girl was kind enough to evoke with me in this Christmas interview "0 % basketball".

• First of all a current question : how did you spent this Christmas time ?
My Christmas was great ! I got to spend a lot of time with my family. Our tradition is to get together on Christmas Eve, with my Mom’s side of the family. There is about 35-40 people and lots of kids.

• Presents time, it is rather on the evening of the 24th or 25th ?
We open gifts that night but also on Christmas day as well.

• What are your relations with religion ? Do you believe in Something or Someone ?
My family is Catholic and I was raised Catholic.

• Were you spoiled this year ?
I was very spoiled this year… and for me it’s more about quality time than gifts. Don’t get me wrong : gifts also are great! LOL But as much as I’m gone I really do cherish my time when I’m home, especially with my family.

• Beside these X-Mas parties, what are you doing during these short holidays ?
I’m really just spending time with family and friends while I’m at home.

• If you had a little more time, which thing would you make as the first one ?
If I had more time ? I would probably try to work on music.

• December 31st is coming. How will you cross from 2016 to 2017 ?
As of right now, I don’t have any plans… I’ve never really celebrated New Years because I’ve always had practice the next day or was traveling etc... So I’ve gotten used to it being a quiet night.

• What should I have to wish you for 2017 ?
As always : good health 🙂

• Let's talk about music. Do you succeed in finding any time to dedicate to your music and to your group Sapphica ?
Gabriel and I try to work on music as much as we can. We are currently working on a full length album and have hopes to release it this summer. However, with me being gone, it’s difficult. So we are doing what we can.

• 2 years ago, you had launched a campaign of crowfunding to finance the way to go from a simple video to a short film. Did you make it a success?
Yeah, we raised about half of what we actually needed. It was an expensive projec, but somehow Gabriel and I manage to make things work. I actually think our latest video (which wasn’t for that fundraiser) is our best work to date. Here’s the link : follow it ! It’s frustrating because it doesn’t have a lot of views, and when you pour your heart and soul into something and it doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves, it’s almost heartbreaking. But we won’t let that stop us from creating !

• You write songs, you play guitar and you are the singer of the group. What is the part which you prefer ?
I enjoy all of it, but I think my favorite part is creating the song and making it come to life.

• Since your beginnings, have you already played in public ?
No, we have not played in public yet… but that’s the goal ! lol Because our time is so limited when I’m home, we focus on trying to create more music.

• We already speak about concert for a long time, you almost played for " Marraines de Coeur "c: shall we see one day Sapphica or Kristen MANN solo on stage in France ?
I hope so!! That would be awesome!

• Do you think one day you can live only on your music earnings ?
That’s the goal… Is it possible? I don’t know…. The music world is hard to get into, but I would hate myself if I didn’t try. So hopefully Gabriel and I can make that happen!

• Generally speaking, at which stage of your musical career do you think you are ?
We are just getting started… Once we finish this album, I think the next step is to start performing and hopefully getting our name/music out there.

• After a few years of experience, did you finish to tame the camera ?
I’m still very camera shy… However I think I’m more comfortable with our music videos because it’s just me and Gabriel doing all the work and creating the projects.

• You use your music to commit. Your clips are very suggestive and you edited out recently a piece about the American elections. Did you think from the beginning of using your music as the megaphone or did it come later ?
Well with that song we were actually in the studio, working on our album, and Gabriel had an idea of writing a funny song about the elections, in hopes of using it as “marketing” for our band. It wasn’t a serious project, it was strictly for fun and comedic relief. So I hope people didn’t take it too seriously lol

• Are you afraid that with the election of Donal TRUMP the cause of the homosexuals can be in danger ? You told me 2 years ago " I never hid and I am not now going to begin and I think that the more I set of the age, the less I pay attention on the fact that think people ".
I’m not really worried about Trump… I think and hope that a lot of his campaign was all bark and no bite. My previous statement still holds true… I’m too old to worry about what people think, and if they “like me” or “accept me”. It’s hard for me to believe that me LOVING someone is “wrong”.

• To end, let us speak a few about your journeys. Your sporting career led you in Turkey, in Portugal, in Latvia and in France. When you are abroad, are you interested in the countries in whom you are, in their culture ?
Absolutely! I’ve been so fortune to play basketball professionally for so long. And to be able to travel the world has been a blessing. Granted with all the practices/games/travel it can be hard to actually be a tourist and enjoy wherever I am, BUT I really do try to explore wherever basketball takes me.

• Do you feel concerned about all these bombings in Europe? Are you afraid ?
Surprisingly no… In my mind, no place is safe. And if a bombing happens, it’s out of my control. I don’t mean for that to sound morbid but it is what it is. I feel safer in Europe than I do in my own country.

• It is in France where you remained longer because you begin your 6th year. Do you maintain a particular report with France or is it for you a destination "as an other one" ?
I have a lot of respect for LFB, it’s one of the better leagues in Europe. I definitely prefer to be in France because I’m comfortable here. I have friends here too, so that always helps.

• Did you improved your french ?
My French is still terrible lolol zero improvements !

• Could you intend to settle down definitively in Europe or are you certain to return in the United States when you will have retired ?
As much as I love Europe, I will live at home in California whenever I retire.

Many thanks Kris ! Let's wait to have some news about your album and hope for a live performance before it ! Amazing year for you in 2017 !

Don't forget to read too : Kristen MANN without any taboo: basketball, music and gay cause