Kimya Dawson: The MusicSnobbery.com Interview

Thanks to movie about 16-year old pregnant girl, the music of Kimya Dawson and her former band, The Moldy Peaches are in everyone's ears. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by blogger Diablo Cody, Juno is another in a long line of small, independent films that has become the movie to see. The soundtrack is the No. 1 album in America and has introduced a new generation of music listeners to the interesting body of work from Dawson. It features eight songs from the singer-songwriter from various periods of her career.

The most memorable tune on the soundtrack is the Moldy Peaches song, "Anyone Else But You," the endearing love song that features the line, "Up up down down left right left right B A start. Just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart. I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else but you."

Before she took the stage at Brooklyn's Europa, I talked with Kimya about the sudden attention she's received and the importance of oil changes. I'd like to welcome her to this space.

So I heard that you have some songs in a movie or a something.
Yeah, something like that.

When did all this fun stuff get started?
About a year ago. I got an e-mail from someone in the casting department. She had ordered a few things from me. She was just like, "Hey, remember me?" And I go, "Yeah." She told me that she was working on a movie. So she sent me the screenplay and a copy of Thank You for Smoking. I liked everything I saw so I said, "Awesome." At that point it was just for the Moldy Peaches song.

Did you suggest any other your songs for the movie?
No, I didn’t say anything. Me and Jason Reitman would just write back and forth for a bit. I actually thought the film was already figured out. Then he just asked me to send over anything I got. So I sent over some songs I wrote for my baby because he has a baby as well. Eventually, he used some of my older songs in the soundtrack.

Did the director give you any indication of why he was picking your songs for the soundtrack?
What he told me was, "This is it!" We didn’t delve into the reasons. I think he just liked the sound of it.

I kind of figured that your songs were Juno’s inner-voice. It tells the audience that the character is very much still a kid who’s dealing with an adult situation. Also, both you and Juno have similar sensibilities in that you’re quirky and you frequently use pop culture references.
Yeah, I think when you see in the context of the movie it makes sense.

What I’ve admired about your songs is that they seem to be made up on the spot. I’m sure that’s that not case. What’s your song writing process like?
I use to be able to write songs anywhere, but now that I’m a mom, I have to be more focused on the baby. What tends to happen to me now is that I get somebody else’s song stuck in my head and in some sort of ADD way, I make up my own lyrics. I’ll be walking around and I think in my head "DahDahDahDahDahDahDahDahDah." I just won’t remember the words. Eventually it morphs into my own lyrical being.

When I try to play it on guitar, I can’t play guitar like everyone else, so it sounds totally different. I just never write songs down on paper. It’s always in my head.

I know that you and Adam wrote "Anyone Else But You" some time ago while sitting in a park bench. It’s not about you, but like a fantasy versions of yourself.
Sort of. It’s written from each of our points of view, but not about each other. It not like from the point of view of any imaginary him, but from him of an imaginary someone.

When I saw you back in 2002 at SummerStage and CMJ, I remember your most popular songs were "Lucky No. 9" and "Who’s Got the Crack," which would bring the house down. "Anyone Else But You" was like a secret fan favorite. Did you expect that this song would take on a life of its own?
I did know when we wrote it that it was something special.

What does Adam think of all this?
Don’t know, you’ll have to ask him.

Okay, next time I see him on the L train, I’ll ask him.
(Laughs)

What was your reaction when you saw the film?
I love it. I’ve seen it five times and I cry like a baby every time.

It’s also interesting that they switched the vocals. Michael Cera sings your parts and Ellen Page does Adam’s part.
Some of it. Jason switched it around because he wanted the character to sing particular lyrics.

When did you get a clue that the film was going to be something special?
I think when it was playing a bunch of festivals and people were telling me the reaction it was getting. People really seem to connect to the movie. It’s not just me being a hormonal, nursing mom (laughs).

I know it’s a weird time in the movie industry and the awards season with the writer’s strike. You’re not eligible for a nomination, but there is the possibility for you to get invited to the Oscars if it happens.
I’m not sure. I ummm ....ummmm ...ummmm (laughs). For me, the thought of getting dressed up and walking past people who will judge me for what I’m wearing is not fun for me. I think the fashion police will arrest me.

With all this new found notoriety, are you going to use it for good or evil?
All for good (laughs). I’m not evil.

Oh, I know you’re not evil.
Right. I think the most exciting part about this whole experience is that I get to bring more attention to schools and art programs that need support.

Last question, now that all these royalty checks are coming...
I haven’t gotten any royalty checks yet.

Oh, man. Okay, so when you do, are you going to get a new ride or some sweet new gear?
Well, I did get a mini-van. My Mazda was to the point where when I took it to Jiffy-Lube, they told me that the oil and transmission were leaking so bad that I would have to being it in once a week. So I got a used Toyota Sienna.

That’s how you roll, I like it.
Well, I’m a family gal, you know what I’m saying. (laughs)