#LGBTQ icon k.d. lang on getting a ‘makeover’

On her new remix album, “makeover,” k.d. lang goes from “Constant Craving” to constant clubbing.

The new LP, out Friday, features twirling takes on torchy tunes such as “Miss Chatelaine,” “If I Were You” and “Sexuality.” 

Here, the Grammy-winning chanteuse, 59, reveals why “Constant Craving” didn’t make the remix cut, how she feels about today’s LGBTQ artists and what it was like getting that famous shave from Cindy Crawford.

Why do you think that your music ended up working so well for remixes?

I think culturally it had relevance being sort of the person of the moment [who was] out and representing a part of the gay culture and fighting for equality. I was just out there as a champion of the gay community, and the club scene at that time — because of AIDS and all the homophobia that arose out of that awful period in history — seemed to be an important cultural vortex for coming together. The club scene represented a community center, so to speak. 

But how come there’s no “Constant Craving” remix on the album? 

That’s funny, because I didn’t even realize, but my management team said, “Oh, there was never an official ‘Constant Craving’ remix.” And it jogged my memory, and I realized  that it was because I felt super protective of it. The remix world was kind of new to me, and it was something I didn’t totally comprehend, and so I had thought I was doing the right thing by going, “No, that’s untouchable. Don’t play with it.” And funny enough, I was absolutely wrong.

Do you find yourself dancing around the house to some of your remixes?

Well, I only listened to it to approve it. By no means do I sit and listen to that record for fun. [Laughs.] I listen to other people, not myself. But especially during COVID, it gives you the emancipation of dancing in your pajamas at breakfast without any self-editing, so have at it!

As an artist who was out early in your career, what do you think when you see the LGBTQ representation in music today?

Oh, I think it’s fantastic. I think it was always there, but I think we’ve made significant headway, although with the struggle that the trans community is experiencing right now … it’s not over until everyone has [equality]. So we’ve come a long way, but we have a long way to go.

Any special advice for today’s young out artists?

No, because I find that advice is just superimposing one’s own neuroses onto another. But I do know as a truth that, if you operate from a place of compassion, that is inevitably helpful. 

You appeared on that memorable Vanity Fair cover that Herb Ritts shot with Cindy Crawford appearing to shave your face while you’re sitting in that barber chair. How cool was that?

I was collaborating with my dear friend and the master of photography, Herb Ritts, and then he called in Cindy to cap off the amazement of the whole project. I knew at the moment that we were creating something that had a lot of … provocation. I felt like we were making a piece of art, and I have to say that when I look at it today, I still feel very proud.