Australian DJ/singer Havana Brown is constantly touring with major acts such as Britney Spears, Rihanna, Chris Brown and Enrique Iglesias. Her single "We Run the Night," with a little help from Cuban rapper Pitbull, was not only a huge hit in her part of the world but reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart as well as number 26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Her first EP, When the Lights Go Out, was released last year to strong sales. She is bringing those tunes when she headlines the 23rd anniversary of Club Skirt Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs, Calif., in April.
We caught up to her on the road to learn more about the talented beauty.
Windy City Times: Hi, Havana. Where in the world are you calling in from?
Havana Brown: I'm in L.A.
WCT: Did you make the big move out there permanently?
Havana Brown: Yes, I actually got a place here, which is kind of nice. For a little while I was homeless and living out of suitcases. It was nice to hang the clothes up.
WCT: Do you like traveling around so much?
Havana Brown: It can get really tiring but as far as traveling I like visiting all the cities that I thought I would never visit. Especially in the States, everyone seems so different. It is like visiting a totally different country sometimes.
WCT: What has been your favorite place to visit?
Havana Brown: That is hard to say. I love both L.A. and New York. I love the sun so that is why I chose to move here. There is dry heat, good weather, and the entertainment business is here.
WCT: In Chicago, I met you at the Fantabuloso show after you performed.
Havana Brown: Yes, I love Chicago as well. It is a cleaner, smaller nicer version of New York. [Laughs] The people are a bit nicer, too!
WCT: You are very photogenic. Have you ever thought about modeling?
Havana Brown: Probably not. That is not really my kind of thing. For photo shoots I like getting dressed up and the makeup, but I get extremely bored very quickly.
WCT: You are from Australia but where did the stage name "Havana Brown" originate?
Havana Brown: That is actually a breed of cat. When I was looking for a DJ name. I was looking at breeds of cats because there was something about cats being bold, independent, and strong. They know what they want and they know how to get it. I like that personality for my career. It is a rare breed so it is very hard to find. At that time when I started DJing the female DJ was a rare breed. I instantly loved it. The name appealed to me being strong and feminine at the same time.
WCT: Your song "We Run the Night" was first a hit in Australiathen it took a while to come to America?
Havana Brown: Yes, it was a year and half later. It has been great, though, to come over the States and go double platinum. Having the great response is a dream come true.
WCT: How did you hook up with Pitbull for the song?
Havana Brown: Basically I had released it in Australia then they decided to release it in America as well. RedOne had heard of me since I was out touring but didn't know I could actually sing. He put me together with Pitbull who redid the song. It was one of those things that you can't plan or expect to happen. It all fell together and it worked out.
WCT: Now you are headlining at the Dinah Skirts event. This will be huge.
Havana Brown: I am pumped for it. One of my good friends Luciana performed there last year and she said it was nuts. She loved it. When I get the phone call to perform at the Dinah event then I already knew it is one of the best parties ever. I am looking forward to it.
WCT: The girls will go crazy over you.
Havana Brown: [Laughs] Yes, I love that!
WCT: Do you know what you are wearing yet?
Havana Brown: I have no clue. I should think about that, shouldn't I?
WCT: It is a white party, so maybe a white bikini so you can work on your tan.
Havana Brown: Exactly. I love performing for girls, too. I love seeing them in the crowd. They can be harder to please but when they are happy you feel like you have achieved something. When they feel good, then I feel good.
WCT: When are coming to play for the gay boys in Chicago?
Havana Brown: I feel like I am always there. I will have to look on my schedule. It might be on my website www.djhavanabrown.com . All of my tour dates are there.
WCT: You are always on the road.
Havana Brown: I am so I get excited about my time offthen after a couple of days I am ready to get back into it! I have been in the studio but I do miss touring and performing.
WCT: How do you deal with the late night hours of DJing?
Havana Brown: I'm an early riser, too, so it is a really bad combo. What helps me out if I can is to take a little nap. It doesn't always happen when I am touring but I like an hour and it just revitalizes me. When I don't get the nap I can be tired when I enter the club but after hearing the music I feel the energy [with] all of my tiredness going away. My adrenaline gets going; then when I leave I have to wind down because I get so pumped up onstage.
WCT: I love your song on Pitbull's [song] "Last Night."
Havana Brown: Oh, cool. Personally I love that track as well. I tell people that I am not being biased but I think it's the best track on the album Global Warming.
WCT: I hope he releases it as a single.
Havana Brown: Me, too. We just shot a video for it actually in Vegas. I got the final cut just recently of a live video with a behind the scenes type thing. It just shows the party element. It's full of energy.
WCT: Have you met your idol, Janet Jackson, yet?
Havana Brown: No, but it could happen very soon, though. I need some positive energy with that, although maybe I don't want to meet her. What if she doesn't like me?
WCT: I have a feeling she will like you.
Havana Brown: I have heard she will be really sweet and I've heard great things about her.
WCT: Okay, it's time for Nunn's Name Game. I am going to mention people you have worked with and give me a one-word answer describing them. First one is Rihanna.
Havana Brown: Tall
WCT: Britney Spears
Havana Brown: Sweet
WCT: Chris Brown
Havana Brown: Bubbly
WCT: Lady Gaga
Havana Brown: Interesting
WCT: Enrique Iglesias
Havana Brown: Sexy
WCT: Pitbull
Havana Brown: Fun
WCT: Well, on that note it was fun playing the game and talking to you today!
Hook up with hottie Havana at the White Party Friday, April 5, at Hotel Zoso. Visit www.TheDinah.com for ticket information and more artists who are performing.