Her latest release, California Years, was independently financed, with Sobule soliciting fans to pre-pay for the album and donate money to her website (jillsnextrecord.com) to make the record happen. Within mere month’s she’d raised nearly $90K.
As she prepares to play Jammin’ Java on Oct. 20, the News-Press threw a few questions at her. Here’s what she had to say:
Mike Hume: You’re sort of known for using satire in a lot of your songs. When did you first start incorporating that into your songwriting?
Jill Sobule: It took a few years of performing and recording (after my first record) to actually feel comfortable putting my actual personality into my songs. I acted as depressed shoe gazer before. I thought that was cool.
MH: Does satire allow you to address serious topics in an easier way than just tackling things head on?
JS: Oh, I think so. I think satire can be more effective than lecturing, and certainly more enjoyable. As a kid, I loved how John Prine and Randy Newman would mix bittersweet melody and lyric with humor.
MH: It seems like you’ve been pretty fearless in the topics you’ve written on. Are there any subjects you consider to be off limits or just wouldn’t want to touch?
JS: Hmmm, I suppose there are things I could tell about exes that I’m still friends with, or family. But I see no reason in hurting anyone. Especially if they still take me out to dinner.
MH: What gave you the idea to solicit fans ahead of time to produce California Years?
JS: Well, after being on four labels, I felt I had to try something new. I had seen a couple of generic sites where you could donate, but it offered nothing in return. They were faceless. Again, I thought you needed to bring in personality and offer something in return. Thus, I came up with Jillsnextrecord.com (with the help of Tony Camus, my webmaster). This was before [artist funding platform] Kickstarter. They actually talked to me about how I did it before they launched.
MH: What was your reaction to the support and the amount of time it took you to raise the money?
JS: I was really taken by surprise. For all I knew, it could have just been my mom and her Mah Jong friends. I was and still am so grateful and indebted to the fans.
MH: An open ended question to close on: What is it about your music that you enjoy the most?
JS: Well, life is not dull and always surprising – surprising is the word of the year for me. For example, last time I was in D.C. (just a week or so ago), I played Fatcats at a benefit for “Dear New Orleans.” I found myself onstage singing “Down by the Riverside” with Hank Shockley (of Public Enemy fame), Mike Mills, the horn band, Bonerama, the Flobots and OKGo. Also as a solo artist, I get bored with myself, so I love meeting and collaborating with other musicians that I respect.
• For more on Jill Sobule, visit jillsobule.com.