LOS ANGELES—The retired AVN Hall of Fame performer Katsuni, aka Celine Tran, supplied unconventional vocals for a track called “Paradise” from the British band Electric Pyramid.
She is also featured prominently in the music video for the song that was recorded in Cornwall, England.
“My voice in ‘Paradise' is not a chant, but a whisper,” Tran explains. “I’m not a singer, only an apprentice musician, and that’s why I think it’s a great reason to experience this new path.”
Oliver Beach, the lead singer for Electric Pyramid, says he was fascinated by Tran’s personality and desire to create upon meeting her.
“Céline is a true artist who dares to experiment with desire and commitment, proved by her numerous collaborations,” Beach says. “It seeks above all to transmit and explore human relationships… This is the message of ‘Paradise’—a window on the strong ties that unite us.
"I loved working with Celine—she is very famous and her aura shines around the world, but it’s the first time we ever truly hear her voice, highlighting this feminine objectivity that allows her to rise well beyond fantasy and attachment of the body and create harmony. There is something exceptional about the experience we lived and share today.”
The French-Vietnamese star has found success on several different fronts since retiring from adult in 2013. She wrote her autobiography, which was published in France last year and will be available in an English version soon; she worked as the director of a collection of comics, appeared in the Cambodian action film Jailbreak; and now is a coach in wellness and sexuality who is certified in Eriksonian Hypnosis, wellness, traditional Thai massages and Yoga Ashtanga.
As Katsuni, she became the only three-time winner of AVN Female Foreign Performer of the Year award, capturing the crown three consecutive times from 2005-07 en route to 38 international awards during her career that started in 2000.
In this exclusive interview, Tran discusses the song “Paradise,” her new growing career in wellness and reveals her plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign to promote the English version of her book, which translated is called “Don’t Tell You Like It.”
AVN: What does certified in Eriksonian Hypnosis mean? Can you hypnotize people now?
CT: Yes, I do! But not the same way I used to do as a performer. Eriksonian Hypnosis is a technique used to help people to solve the problems they don't manage to fix by themselves. When the will is not enough, then it's useful to work on the unconscious. Did it ever happen to you to feel frustrated and tell yourself, “I wish I could do that but I feel something is stopping me?”
This is a great technique to work on addictions, phobias, lack of confidence or motivation for example. And guess what? I'm now helping the ones who suffer of sex addiction (porn videos included). When sex turns into an addiction, that's not fun anymore and it required a specific assistance.
So I'm now certified as a Hypnosis Practitioner, specialized in Sport & Performance. I'm also certified in Yoga, wellness massages and traditional Thaï Yoga massage. I got my black belt in Tae Kwon Do and 2nd dan in Karate. I connect all these disciplines and use my experience as a woman and of an ex-adult performer to provide a custom-made accompaniment. And I'm working on specific coaching programs around the connection body/mind.
What drew you to become a coach in wellness and sexuality? How challenging was it for you to complete all these certifications?
Since years, men, women, adults and teenagers contact me on social networks to ask me some advices not only about sex, but also about relationships, and life changes. As it required time, I decided to do it fully, in a professional way.
I now have an office in Paris where I provide sexual counseling, wellness massages, and Eriksonian Hypnosis sessions.
Regarding all my certifications, I love involving myself in new challenges! They're a logical way for me to keep learning and improving on a personal level. Then, I use them on a professional one.
How did you meet Oliver Beach & Electric Pyramid? Were you familiar with this music group before meeting him?
I didn't know this band until then. Actually, he's starting his promotion tour in France, that's just the beginning. The French manager of the band is a common friend for Oliver and I. He knows our personalities very well and saw the right away a nice opportunity to create a nice creative collaboration. I'm not a singer at all; I'm totally shy when it comes to sing in public. But that's probably an other reason why I accepted! I enjoy going where nobody expect me. That's exciting.
How would you describe your vocal performance in “Paradise”? What was the creative process and production like?
Aha well... The word “performance” is quite intense by itself and I can't say that my voice made miracles. As I said, I'm shy, and to sing requires techniques, confidence, talent! So I'm whispering some lyrics that I wrote in French. The idea was to respond to Oliver's lyrics and to create a kind of intimacy between our two characters who are in love and miss each other. The first version of the song was more calm and kind of nostalgic. This version is finally the one available, probably more suitable for the audience.
How long did it take for you to complete your part of the music video?
Small budget, small crew, fast shooting! We filmed everything in one day and a part of the night. I already worked before with the director, Deyan Parouchev, for a project with a visual artist.
Where was the music video shot?
We recorded the song in Oliver's studio in Cornwall and shot the video in London.
What are you planning next?
Actually, I have now some more musical projects but it's too early to talk about it.
Right now, I focus on writing scripts (comics, movies, and a new book). And I'm very busy with my job as a coach in wellness and sexuality. I have some more certifications in progress!
Also, big news for my US fans: I'm about to launch a Kickstarter campaign to translate and print my autobiography. I wrote my story since when I was a child to today. You'll be able to know more about “Katsuni” and most of all, about me…
