For percussionist and singer Yasmine Kittles, everything in sight could be a potential instrument. Through her musical outlet Tearist, she's able to turn everything from a Perrier bottle or a piece of metal into a tool for expression. A complete enigma on stage, Kittles sings and howls, playing the role of tormented ingenue in her frenzied live shows. She's collaborated with just about everyone across the spectrum of music to comedy. Outside of her own music, she's recently been a part of Ryan Adam's recording sessions. You're just likely to see her pop up randomly on TV (in the past she's appeared onstage with Das Racist on their Conan debut) as you are on Youtube since she sporadically releases humorous videos in partnership with Eric Wareheim of Tim and Eric. Up next is a release with Former Ghosts, a Levi's campaign and European tour later this year. 

How did you first start singing?

I don't actually remember not singing.

My grandmother bought me a tape recorder, and after that... I never left my room. I recorded me singing along to the television... there was this one song on Sesame Street that was so sick. It was called "Wet Paint," and it had these pretty cows with eyelashes singing the chorus... I really have no idea what it was about (I'm guessing wet paint... but why?!), but that was like MY song. I would record me singing along to that song and laughing. I found some recordings I called "My Professional Recordings" and another where I just kept singing "I got the powah!" (I've been thinking of releasing them!)

You also act. How does that compare to creating and performing music?

I think they go hand in hand. Whether I'm creating music or performing music—it requires me to be extremely vulnerable and honest. I have to get myself in that place in my mind in order to be able to be truthful... so that I can feel it. It sucks, because it hurts, but I have to let it. The same goes for the way I approach acting. I have to internalize and believe what I am saying, or my reactions would be manufactured, and I would just be lying. This gets problematic for me, though, (depending on the role) because when you allow yourself to fully give into the character- it is (well, for me) difficult to pull myself out. They both require tuning in and committing. 

You collaborate a lot. What has been your favorite and/or most memorable collaboration of late?

I love collaborating. TEARIST, as it evolves, is, now, very much about collaborating and collaborations.

In August, I began collaborating with Ryan Adams. I wasn't familiar with his music, but I think that's what made it more interesting—being forced out of comfort zones. There was one day that was particularly hilarious. We had been playing for a bit one evening and Ryan's good friend Johnny Depp dropped by the studio and wanted to join.

I'll be honest—I was concerned at first, because throwing a new element after working closely on listening and breaking habits kinda of breaks the flow. Before we began playing Ryan and I continued to repeat the words "no rules"—so that we would all be on the same page. I was next to Johnny with a rusted metal bucket filled with chains, pipes, rusted railroad spikes, a large rusted hollow brick... I, honestly, think I scared him. He saw the bucket and said "Wait. Oh. You're gonna play those?" and jokingly asked if I always go around with a metal bucket of metal... The answer: Yes. Yes, I do.

It was a crazy night in that it didn't feel that crazy... And it ended up sounding really interesting. We cheers'ed Birthday Cake Oreos and all the world was right. 

You're recording right now. What can listeners expect from these sessions?

Nothing. Expectations kill.

In terms of what you wear onstage, how do you pick what to wear? What are your favorite pieces?

I've always found it more interesting to dress the exact opposite of the venue. I go through phases. I will most often go—just a T-shirt route, because I move around a lot and need to breathe. (Three lung collapses, so breathing can be trying. Some favorites [include a] dress made fully of Carebears by Japanese designer Acha (through Substance LA), custom made pieces by Keyla Marquez of Howl Clothing... My favorite is a one-legged piece that looks like Blade Runner meets a lizard meets a tire. I love wearing that piece in general.

What do you draw inspiration from?

Everything that terrifies me. Things I don't want to face. The sound of my crazy Christian cat-lady neighbor blasting her one gospel record into my wall—Waco-style—off of a record player that clearly needs a new needle. It's scary as hell. Truly.. It makes me feel like I'm in a horror film. I do some of my best writing when it starts up, because it goes for a while... and I start feeling like I'm losing my mind.

What the ultimate karaoke song?

Well, there are the some songs you know will get everyone. I think "How Will I Know" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (by Whitney Houston) have always, without fail, helped me win over the hardest of crowds. If we wanna talk ultimate karaoke song for me, personally... I would have to say "Flashdance (What A Feeling)."

When I lived in Austin, I was focused on acting and comedy. I didn't have a band, and I became obsessed with karaoke. Each performance had to be better than the next. At first, it was like vamping as a joke—like I was in a melodramatic music video. The more I did it the more dramatic and elaborate the performances would be. "Flashdance" was, like, when I took it to a whole new level. I learned the dance... even used the chair. Then, at the exact moment I would act as though I was pulling and someone would pour water all over me. It was exhausting, but I loved doing it, because it was so ridiculous. It was, also, one I saved for special occasions.