The incredible Janelle Monae played a special RSVP only show at the Highline Ballroom on May 18 to celebrate the release of her new record The ArchAndroid. In case you missed that spectacle, Janelle will be back in town next week (June 7) to open for Erykah Badu at the Roseland Ballroom, $51.00 and $76.00 non-VIP tickets are still available. (Questlove is on the bill for that show as well.)

Janelle Monae at Highline Ballroom (05/18/10)

Photo: Jon Klemm

The Alter Ego
Monae performs The ArchAndroid as Cindi Mayweather, a persona inspired in part by The Matrix’s Neo. “She’s the mediator between the haves and have-nots, the chosen one to help restore unity and balance.” The Cindi persona reflects Monae’s desire to face her fears. “I’m attracted to things that scare me, like Psycho, my favorite Hitchcock movie.”

The Look
Her trademark skinny tuxedo is inspired by Marlene Dietrich and is a tribute to “my mother, who was a janitor, and my father, who drove trash trucks. It pays homage to how they put on a uniform every day and turned something into nothing.” The hair is the result of experimentation. “Some people call it a pompadour or a wompadour, but it’s a Monae.” [NYMag.com]

Lots more Janelle Monae pics from the Highline after the jump.

Janelle Monae by Jon Klemm