Kim Peers: I’m most excited about bringing Skemer to life on stage – preparing backstage, creating new looks that capture our world, and crafting moods and stories to share with the audience. I want each performance to resonate deeply. This tour, our longest yet, spans three weeks and marks our second collaboration with our booking agency, Swamp. It’s also our first partnership with the French booking agency Personata Grata.

I’ve met many of my closest friends in clubs. It’s where I connect with like-minded people, and we come together to dress up and dance. Most of them feel like family to me.

I feel very much at home in Berlin and feel like I fit in there even more than in Belgium. A few years ago, I considered moving there, but meeting Mathieu, my partner, kept me in my home country. Now, I just enjoy visiting from time to time.

A long time ago, I used to drink, smoke, and occasionally do drugs, but eventually, it just got boring. I have so much more fun being sober now. The only time people might assume I’m not sober is when I’m dancing non-stop – and I’m not shy about dancing right up on stage next to the DJ! I’m actually not very aware of my strong presence.

Making music began as a creative outlet that I really needed – it brought me comfort and a sense of safety. That’s why, at first, I mostly made music just for myself. Now, I feel more at ease, and while music remains very important to me, it has become more of a creative playground, with a bit more ambition and vision.

My inspiration comes from my inner library and moodboards. I observe everything around me – it just has to resonate, and I’ll absorb it somehow, eventually using it as inspiration. When I’m writing lyrics or performing on stage, I draw directly from this source.

Working with Mathieu is going very well, we each bring our own strengths, skills, and experiences. When I create, I draw from a vivid, visual source of inspiration, while Mathieu works from a kind of blank slate or void. Of course, he’s also inspired by external things, but I tend to be more complex in my process. This difference sometimes makes it challenging to understand each other, but it mostly leads to a balanced, complementary dynamic.

When our first album came out, Skemer was still fairly new. There was already an identity, but with the second album, that identity grew, evolved, and became clearer. Inspired by De Brassers, I wrote two tracks with lyrics in Dutch, my native language.

I appreciate seeing the truth, even when it’s dark, as it offers a more honest perspective. I’ve experienced a lot of darkness in my life, but I’ve chosen to move forward, transform it, and carry it with me. I’m not afraid of darkness or of taking a difficult, confrontational path. In fact, there’s a certain peace that comes from accepting that and even finding beauty in it. Eroticism can evoke a sense of power and freedom. While some may view it as purely erotic, for me, it’s about the freedom to be who you truly want to be.

Geen mededogen.

Geen ontkomen.

Overgave die me niet loslaat.

Translated:

No compassion, No escape,

Surrender that won’t let me go.

It’s a powerful realization that the only thing a person can truly control is their own surrender.

I’ve been involved in fashion for most of my life, literally growing up alongside many people from the fashion world. As a result, it has had a huge influence on me. One of my biggest inspirations is Inge Grognard’s approach to makeup, along with the work of other talented makeup artists. I’m fortunate to have many friends in the fashion industry who are also designers, such as Sehnsucht Atelier, Judassime, and Wouters & Hendrix. I love incorporating their creations into the world of Skemer.

Actually, no. A strong interest in music is essential for me – not just passion, but also a vision that aligns with decisiveness and a grounded mindset. Aesthetic is crucial for my peace of mind, especially in my home. As I write this, I realize just how lucky I am to have Mathieu in my life! Haha.

When I started in fashion, I didn’t feel a strong connection to it, except with the Belgian designers and Alexander McQueen. I still have pieces in my archive from Jurgi Persoons, A.F. Vandevorst, Haider Ackermann, Veronique Branquinho, and others. There are so many exciting designers and brands now. I really love what Stefano Gallici is creating at Ann Demeulemeester and am a big fan of Glenn Martens at Diesel. They bring a fresh perspective to these established brands.

The makeup products were heavy, often caked with thick facial powder. Now, the focus has shifted to skincare, with much lighter products. Photoshoots were done on film, with just a few Polaroids to check the lighting. I’ve kept a collection of those Polaroids because, at times, I loved their vibe even more than the published shots.

I’m also pleased to witness more diversity among models, though I believe there’s still work to be done, as the size range remains too limited.

Instead of trying to follow trends too closely, it’s more important to stay on your own path and focus on a long-term vision. A strong personality stands out more than ever. Nowadays, images pass by so quickly that having a distinctive personality or image is crucial. My agencies ( Noah Mgmt, Elite NY and A-Mgmt) respect my personalty and even see it as an asset.

Before social media, my booking agent primarily managed my portfolio. I was fortunate to be booked for interesting projects most of the time, but I occasionally grew tired of the one-dimensional images that people created for me – mostly androgynous or rock ‘n’ roll styles. Since the rise of social media, I’ve taken control of my image and what I choose to share with the world, as well as the type of people I want to connect with. It’s a wonderful experience to engage with others all over the globe. I’m also very selective about the projects I choose to engage in. I say no to anything that strays too far from what I want to represent.

In my early days, fashion and music were separate worlds for me. I didn’t want to compromise my music, as I created it mostly for myself. It was my own thing, and I struggled to connect the two. With Skemer, it’s the first time I’ve allowed both worlds to come together. Perhaps the timing was just right, and it felt natural. We create a lot of our videos ourselves, and I love approaching this process with my experience in fashion. The artwork, promotional materials, and merchandise serve as playgrounds where I can infuse that experience as well.

I must admit I have many of these moments. Every experience, big or small, helps me evolve and grow. One experience that stands out is when I performed together with Delfine Bafort in a theater piece called “Truth or Dare, Britney or Goofy, Nacht und Nebel, Jesus Christ or Superstar” by Lies Pauwels. The improvisation involved in the initial process was truly eye-opening for me, and bringing the piece to the stage is an experience I will always cherish. It significantly inspired my performances with Skemer.

Additionally, my experience with modeling for fashion shoots has been interesting to incorporate into my performances. There’s a unique awareness of how to move your body that comes from that work. I also attended a performance by Christine and the Queens, now known as Rahim Redcar, which left a lasting impression on me. The way he expressed real emotions alone on stage in a theatrical setting was incredibly touching.

From a young age, I had a strong sense of who I was, which sometimes made it hard to fit in. Even when I tried, it just never seemed to work. I grew accustomed to being quite solitary, but over time, I learned to embrace this part of myself. In recent years, I’ve found a close circle of friends who accept me as I am, where I truly feel I belong. It’s an amazing feeling.

To further develop a strong sense of self, I stay focused. It’s not just about ideas in my head, images online, or discussions about concepts, it’s about taking action and creating tangible things. This process requires time, energy, and effort, and it’s largely independent. I don’t wait for others, I simply start doing it. The more I engage in these activities, the more they become real and something I can work with.

It’s important for me to care for myself, but also to care for others. I strive to be mindful of how I balance my time and energy, continually assessing my priorities – what and who truly matter to me.

That’s a difficult question for me because I rarely look back, I just keep moving forward. I do have to admit that sometimes, aspects of my past feel like they belong to another life or another version of myself.

Similarly, I don’t look too far ahead. I prefer to remain open to possibilities and changes. Right now, I’m focused on enjoying the moment and the journey, wherever it may take me.