Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis at KCRW’s Apogee Sessions in Santa Monica, CA, October 23rd, 2014
Oct 27, 2014
Jenny Lewis
Laura Studarus: Okay. I’ve put on The Voyager and slipped into something comfortable. Let’s rehash the events of last Thursday, shall we? KCRW’s Apogee Session in Santa Monica. 200 people. Jenny Lewis. And us.
Michele Yamamoto: I was actually so inspired by the show, I started writing songs over the weekend.
Studarus: Wow. Major props to Miss Lewis. The question is, what era of her career are we giving props to?
Yamamoto: As you know, this is a point of debate. I know a lot of people believe she’s really found her voice here, and I agree to the extent that you feel she’s not relying on other artists in the same way she used to. But she’s always had a strong voice.
Studarus: I won’t argue for a second that she’s ever had anything but a strong voice. But I will admit that The Voyager is her first album to SPEAK to me (or yell as those caps might indicate.) When she sat down at the piano to play “Head Underwater” I got chills.
Yamamoto: She’s certainly stronger than ever before. Even her “Moneymaker” performance was more convincing.
Studarus: As a long standing Rilo Kiley fan, can you pinpoint what’s changed?
Yamamoto: She’s just in control. She doesn’t seem surprised by her ability to hit the note or get aggressive.
Studarus: I just love the fact she’s writing from the point of view of the girl next door. “My ex-boyfriend’s wife/girlfriend is having a baby and that’s totally weird.” “I’m going on a Hawaiian vacation that may or may not be paradise.” “When I was sixteen I had big dreams and a seriously awkward exterior” On some level these are all things we can identify with.
Yamamoto: I agree. And I love that element. But I also really love her larger-than-life lyrics. I think as a woman on stage or in life, it’s a negotiation in a lot of ways. I felt empowered to feel normal because she blew it out of the park. Does that make any sense?
Studarus: Actually that’s a brilliant way of putting it. Favorite moment from the show?
Yamamoto: Definitely one of the strongest performances of hers I’ve seen. I’m actually super excited it was taped for posterity. Favorite moment was her drawing a heart on the drummer’s sneeze guard during “Next Messiah.”
Studarus: Yeah, it’s a shame her sneeze guard heart won’t translate on the radio.* But trust us—it’s there! I will just say one thing, wish she had busted out the Lisa Frank-like suit for the occasion. Then again, when your own complaint about a set is wardrobe, you’re certainly on the right track.
Yamamoto: In summation, Jenny is a star now. And Mike Bloom is a magic maker.
Studarus: True dat. Let’s get together for another show and a glass of Voyager wine ASAP.
Yamamoto: Maybe some Creed, too. Actually, definitely some Creed.
Studarus: ...only if Ryan Adams can come too.
Setlist:
1. Silver Lining
2. Just One of the Guys
3. Head Underwater
4. Slippery Slopes
5. Moneymaker
6. Next Messiah
7. Pretty Bird
8. Late Bloomer
9. She’s Not Me
10. Acid Tongue
*You’re all in luck. In keeping with all KCRW sessions, video will be available on the KCRW’s Apogee Sessions website, and audio will air on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic on November 3.
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November 4th 2014
9:19am
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you
relied on the video to make your point. You obviously
know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence
on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening
to read?