Jenny Owen Youngs
Jenny Owen Youngs is best known for her sweet looks and salty lyrics. Riffin' catches up with her to discuss her favorite songs to cover and what inspires her writing.
Riffin': There is a soulful poetry in your lyrics; what inspires your writing?
Jenny Owen Youngs: I'm a huge fan of lyricists like Elliott Smith, Stephin Merritt, Gillian Welch, Justin Pierre, PJ Harvey... I guess that list is changing all the time. There are always new things to learn. Lately I've been pretty focused on studying the phrasing of Ludacris... he's very unique (and of course dreamy).
I've performed entire songs while sitting on the lap of an audience member
How long have you been performing, and what are some challenges that you have faced while pursuing your music career?
Jenny Owen Youngs: I've been writing since I was in junior high, and performing to some degree since around then, though of course now things are much more serious. So far the biggest challenges have been of two schools. The first is about overcoming all the obstacles I build for myself in my own head: constant worrying over whether the things I do are worthwhile, etc. The second is a cluster of things that come with staying healthy while touring: fighting loneliness, staying physically active, minding my dietary restrictions.
How do you prepare for your shows, what do you enjoy most about performing live, and what would be the ultimate venue for you to play?
Jenny Owen Youngs: The best thing about playing live is connecting with an audience that is fully prepared for you to have your way with them. This can't be every show of course, but I do my best to connect metaphorically but also literally – I've performed entire songs while sitting on the lap of an audience member. I'm not into stadium-size shows by any stretch... I guess I'd love to play Town Hall in NYC, it's a rare venue that holds a whole mess of people while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.
You have performed some brilliant covers including, 'Hot in Here' 'The District Sleeps Alone Tonight,' and 'Since U Been Gone.' How do you choose which songs to cover, when did you start developing your versions, and have you had any response from the original artists?
Jenny Owen Youngs: 'Hot' and 'Since' are direct results of my love for Top 40 danceable anthems. 'The District...' was one of 10 or 12 covers I performed over a two week tour of the southeast... We took requests in advance, via email, and I played a new cover every night. I started working out versions of pop songs maybe four years ago, first visiting the fantastically rich Britney Spears songbook and moving on from there. I've never heard from any of the original artists, but I wait by the phone for Nelly to call every day.
Your album 'Batten The Hatches' came out in 2007, you are all over MySpace, Facebook & YouTube with a loyal fan base, you have a genius line of merch, and you've played sold-out shows...so what's up next for you in the new year, do you have your eyes set on any particular goals for or ideas for 2008?
Jenny Owen Youngs: I'm holing up for at least a few months to work on a new record and some other recording projects, then I imagine I'll be back out on the road sometime in the summer, and forever after.