Who is Kim David Smith?
I’m an Australian cabaret performer based in NYC, devoted to converting and musically subjugating Americans into Kylie Minogue worshipers.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Nothing, I’m a very happy person.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. My mum inspires me to be kind, my boyfriend inspires me to be my best, always, and my passion for music and being gigglesome on stage has been inspired over the years by artists like Camille O’Sullivan, Justin Vivian Bond, Joey Arias, Marlene Dietrich, Eartha Kitt, and Kylie Minogue.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I make what little difference I can by being myself, and indulging in smiles as often as possible. It’s hard in NYC to not absorb the city’s shovey energy, and as a naturally fast walker and talker, I make an effort to at least be nice while I’m weaving around the slow (of both mind and foot).
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I love Key West, Florida. My boyfriend and I met there, and we find it super relaxing. Aqua is my favorite drag club in the whole entire world!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I don’t take anyone to tourist traps. I’m happier making dinner for friends at our home in Brooklyn than I am playing tour guide. This city is famous enough for people to have a good idea of what they want as a tourist – if you don’t know what you want to see when you come to NYC, then that’s kinda on you!
What are you currently reading?
About 40 books. I’m reading Ursula le Guin’s Earthsea series for the first time, and am also reading Hugh Ryan’s When Brooklyn Was Queer. Plus I’m always cycling through The Lord of the Rings, which is my literary safe space.
What are you currently listening to?
Aside from my constant Kylie soundtrack, I’m playing Carly Rae Jepsen’s Dedicated a lot (Julien is a really cute song). Specifically within my daily Kylie meditaitons, I’m playing Fever and Light Years a lot right now (it’s summer, and those albums – especially Light Years – just feel so right this time of year), and I’m also playing her new track New York City on a loop – we added it to Kim Sings Kylie last month at Joe’s Pub, and it was a riot!
Happiness is?
Performing Kim sings Kylie. So happy!
What does the future hold for you?
Absolutely everything. More Kim sings Kylie, more trips to Key West, more cups of tea with my mum when she visits, and more smiles.
Kim David Smith presents Kim sings Kylie as part of the 2019 Sydney Cabaret Festival: 12 – 14 July. For more information, visit: www.sydneycabaretfest.com for details.
Image: Kim David Smith (supplied)