Janelle Monae, the avant-garde chanteuse of hip-hop, dance and sci-fi retro musicals, returns to Atlanta on Nov. 6 and 7 for two appearances at Variety Playhouse as a special guest of the exalted Athens indie band Of Montreal.
Monae has captured the media spotlight recently with the single “Tightrope,” released earlier this year on the critically acclaimed CD “ArchAndroid.”
The video for the single features the artist and a cast of several others in vintage-styled tuxedos dancing, singing and rapping about hanging on to reality amid the rush or lack of success. It’s set against the backdrop of an insane asylum.
The performer is turning heads by defying popular music standards in presentation and personal style. Rather than bounce about barely clad singing about hot sex and financial success, Monae chooses to dress like Fred Astaire with a pompadour and delve into the equality of androids in the future. She has qualities reminiscent of Grace Jones, tween-age Michael Jackson and even Cyndi Lauper, yet she’s something that’s never quite been done before.
Her appearances here will be her last in the U.S. before she begins a European concert tour in December, followed by performances in Australia in January.
Q: Where did you learn to dance like you do?
A: I ask myself that all the time. Instinct. I try not to choreograph too much. I love the element of surprise. I love not knowing what I’m going to do, and the best stuff comes when the music moves you. It’s like dancing when no one’s watching. That’s my motto.
Q: Why is the film “Metropolis” one of your favorites?
A: I’m a huge fan of science fiction, and “Metropolis” is the godfather of the genre. It’s a silent film, but the message really spoke out to me. One of the quotes that really inspired me was “the mediator between the mind and the hand is the heart.” I’ve always thought of myself as being the heart. I want to be the one that brings us all together and unites us.
Q: How often are you still in Atlanta?
A: From time to time, I’m in Atlanta. From time to time, I’m in Saturn, Mars, I’m in Kansas. I’m all over. When I was in Atlanta, I was living in a small cave out in Roswell, Ga. I think Atlanta has a lot of fresh ideas. And because it’s such a college town, you get a lot of very hungry and vibrant students who are ready to shake the world. I love new ideas and people who are ready to go out into the world and shift it.
Q: I see so many things in your presentation that remind me of other great performers: young Michael Jackson, James Brown, Grace Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, even Marlene Dietrich. Do you think you’re an old soul?
A: I believe spirits can live within people. I believe in predestination. Whatever my journey is has already been written for me. And I have been equipped with the tools -- I’m learning and there are spirits that are watching out for me. I can feel that. I do believe this has been prepared. I don’t understand everything, I don’t know exactly what will happen next year around this time, but I feel I’m being guided by a very special spirit in music and outside of music.
Q: What do you want your music to do to the world?
A: I want my music to be the world’s choice of drug whenever they want to laugh and dance, to feel euphoric or cry. The music that we create is an emotion picture, and it’s meant to invoke emotion. Most importantly, I want this music to heal the people, and bring them together.
Concert previewJanelle Monae with Of Montreal. 8:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 8 p.m. Nov. 7. $25 in advance, $27.50 day of show. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354, www.jmonae.com .
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