Author: Emma Loggins
Date: 2008-03-03


Interview:
The Juno soundtrack was initially rolled out to digital retailers in December as the film was opening in select cities. Juno has steadily gained momentum in the marketplace thanks to strong word of mouth -- and an unusual degree of synergy between the movie and its soundtrack. The film's young star, Ellen Page, suggested using the music of The Moldy Peaches, and the 19-track Juno soundtrack includes eight songs featuring that band's Kimya Dawson. The album debuted on the Billboard Top 10 -- largely on the strength of digital sales. We had the honor of sitting down with Kimya Dawson to talk about her work with the Juno soundtrack, Moldly Peaches, and what's next for the singer! Here's what she had to say:

You've done a ton of collaborations over the years, is there one that sticks out as your favorite or perhaps your most exciting?

I love playing and recording with other people, and I hope to do lots, lots more of that, but as far as a favorite... wow, I don't know... They've all been fun for me. I sang on one of my brothers' songs, and he's just my favorite. He doesn't ever record, and he doesn't ever play out, so the fact that I got him on the foretrack and sang with him, means a lot to me. He only has 7 songs recorded.

I really love the song that I did with the Mountain Goats as well...

I also think it's really fun that I have a song with Stephen Jenkins from Third Eye Bye and David Johnson on the same song. Then I have a song that has Vanessa Carlton and Regina Specter on the same song. Plus a million other friends that perhaps people haven't heard of, but that I think are amazing. I just think it's good to get a lot of people together.

You have a very unique sound with your solo album. How would describe that sound to those that haven't heard you?

I am a folk singer. It's more about the words than the music. My songs are very lyrical. I try to cram as much information into a few minutes as I possibly can. I'm no guitar virtuoso, that's for sure [laughs].

Now when I was reading about you online, I saw the term anti-folk associated with you a lot. Can you describe what exactly that is?

It's just a community in New York of artists and musicians that hang out together. I used to hang out in those places. It's been awhile though since I've really been around that scene. I don't even know who is apart of it anymore. But it's not a genre or a movement necessary, it's just more of a community.