Im ready to askBeth Dittoa question, but first she has a few for me.
I just like talking to people.
Like, genuinely, thats my favorite part!
Photo: Cody Critcheloe
Where in London are you right now?
I have to learn to tamp it down, she says with a sigh.
(The singer haswalked the runwayfor the likes of Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier.)
Photo: Cody Critcheloe
I was still in my 30s, for the love of God, she laughs.
It was so funny.
The towns on fire!
Photo: Cody Critcheloe
But were not a city to be fucked with.
And I was proud to live in a city that was at least trying.
That not-to-be-fucked-with spirit has always coursed through Gossips music.
I think Gossip is….
Were just such a bag of squirrels, says Ditto.
Like, were insane.
Its always so scatterbrained.
And I think had we planned to make a record, it wouldnt have worked out.
It had to happen like this, or it wouldnt have happened at all.
We never want to be told what to do.
And I dont like expectations.
It was just happenstance.
Thats a great word, isnt it?
Just as striking as the music onReal Poweris the visual world surrounding it.
Surely Ditto would have to chalk this garish yet strangely cohesive vision up to more than just happenstance?
I felt so lost.
While Ditto chokes up with tears, she quickly assures me they are bittersweet.
I needed someone who had that same fuck off, who cares energy.
And when Cody stepped in, I felt like I was gonna be okay.
I wasnt open to giving the fashion world a chance before that.
And now I enjoy being around fashion people way more than music peoplelike, are you joking?
Theres more women, its more queer, and its so creative.
Well, youdoget the sense that Ditto would be an awful lot of fun at a fashion party.
Its a mix of deep introspection and boundless curiosity about the world surrounding her that feels all too rare.
And that isnt just me.
I dont think Im special.
All of my friends are going through it so hard right now.
I mean, how do you feel about it?
Once again Ditto wants to turn the conversation back to me.
Instead, I ask her about how the band is preparing to bringReal Powerto life onstage.
Talking about the record too much can take the fun out of it, she says.
I dont want to think about if the record is gonna do well or not.
Its not up to us, we cant control that.
So Im like, Can we just tell jokes?
Can we just hang out?
After an hour in Dittos endlessly charismatic presence, I realize she somehow coaxed me into doing exactly that.
