Peaches: Stranger Than Friction

Photography by Daria Marchik

After creating an electro-rock opera, collaborating with everyone from Yoko Ono to Major Lazer, and releasing a book this summer with her tour photographer, Holger Talinski, Peaches is back with Rub, her first studio album in six years (out September 25). On it, the performance artist and musician -- most famous for her incendiary club anthem "Fuck the Pain Away" -- continues to ooze sexuality, smash gender barriers, and swear like it's going out of style. Be very afraid.

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Out: What was it like returning to the studio?

Peaches: I was fired up. There've been a lot of cultural changes, both politically and with queer culture in the mainstream, but also lots of changes in the music business and with making videos. Before, we wanted to be shown on MTV, so we wouldn't swear. Like, with the video for "Light in Places," I don't think I could have put a laser butt plug on MTV.

You're making a video for every song on Rub. What can we expect for "Dick in the Air"?

A friend of mine found these hand-knitted mohair bodysuits. The outfits are ridiculous, so I asked Margaret Cho to do the video with me. I wore the white male one, Margaret wore the yellow one--which also has the largest package of them all--and we jammed.

Many gay men get freaked out about vaginas. You have a new song about one.

They sure do, don't they? I think "Vaginoplasty" is about an important subject, but I also think it's hilarious. The song is about a big vag, but then you have to think, Why does that gross me out?

Is it harder to be subversive these days?

It doesn't have to be subversive. It should be fun. I try never to be threatening to people. I try to be inclusive. Where I am, in Berlin, with youth culture and queer culture, it's different from any place in the world. It's great when there's no resistance. It's just a matter of celebrating.

Rub is out Sept. 25. The Peaches North American tour begins Oct. 1 in Solana Beach, Calif. Watch the video for "Light in Places" below: