She ‘kissed a girl’ and liked it – first

When Jill Sobule released “I Kissed A Girl,” in 1995, it was the first time any major recording artist discussed girl–on–girl action with those words. For the record, Katy Perry was 11 at the time. Since then, one of Denver’s own has gone on to be become a must–collaborator (she’s partnered with everyone from Neil Young to Arianna Huffington) and a pioneer in crowdfunding (her most recent album was financed entirely by fans). And now she’s back, headlining a show at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabert at 8 p.m., July 19.

Nic Garcia: You’re a Denver native. What’s it like playing in your hometown? 

Jill Sobule: Well, it’s kind of great. First of all, I make my (80-year-old) mom get up and sing with me. She does a wicked cover of an old Nelly song, and we have the new hit, “All My Mahjong Friends Have Died.” It’s fun to see who from my past shows up at a show. A few years ago, my bully, the meanest girl in all of junior highs came to see me. We talked after the show.  She seemed so…nice. But, I still think she might end up in the lower rungs of hell.

NG: The Clueless soundtrack was one of the first CDs I ever owned. Your hit song “Supermodel” was used on that CD. Talk to me about that song and how you saw it adapted for the movie’s soundtrack. 

JS: Well “Supermodel” was written for the movie. I added the “eating disorder” bridge right before recording it.

NG: Clueless was at its core, social commentary on that particular generation of youngsters. If a similar movie was released today, what do you think it should be called? What kind of song would you write for it?

JS: The major change since then I think has been “the Internets.” Every generation has had its Clueless, but this time they are armed to the teeth with iPhones, iPads, etc. – and all at the same time. We are all ADD. There was no Facebook or Twitter then. So now we have the potential to say inane things to a larger number of folks. And “fame culture” is even greater now with all the reality shows and viral videos. You know the old Andy Warhol saying that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. Well, you could also say everyone will be famous…to at least 15 people. I will come up with a good name for our soon to be released movie; I just can’t think of one now. I’m too distracted. I am checking my Facebook

NG: “Supermodel” was a part of your second album which also featured “I Kissed A Girl” – a song you call “a double edge sword.” What do you mean by that? 

JS: Well, don’t forget “I Kissed a Girl” was release in 1995. That was before the famous “Ellen Kiss.” It was actually the first song with a lesbian story. The label did not know how to deal with it – so they played up the novelty and goofy aspect of it. I wrote it because I wanted to create a song that I wished would have been played when I was a young girl. Mine was not meant to be a “girls gone wild” or “this is sexy for my boyfriend” thing. The only way to have had it considered for the radio, was to couch the queerness in humor. Now, every time I play a show, at least one person comes up and tells me how much the song meant to them – how much it helped them feel OK about themselves. That makes me feel like it was all worth it. On the other hand, I wanted to be seen as a serious singer-songwriter. But, I have no regrets at all.

NG: How has your music evolved since then?

JS: I am a very curious person who gets bored easily. I love to experiment musically. I’m all over the map-for better or worse.

NG: On your website, JillSobule.com, you have a whole page of fun facts about your relatives. What’s one fun fact about you we wouldn’t find on there.  

JS: The first time I walked into a gay bar – in Denver – it was like a friggin’ family reunion. I saw a bunch of distant cousins. I think gay lurks in my family gene pool.

NG: Lastly, let’s talk about love. You’ve written songs about “Love found, love lost, love wished for and love taken away.” What’s your favorite kind of love to sing about? 

JS: I try to write about things that we think about, or feel, but are rarely heard in a song. For instance, my song “Angel/Asshole” is sympathetic song for the person who is the “dumper,” the heartbreaker. Breaking up with someone is a bitch. And someone needs to say it.

NG: What’s one thing about love you’ve learned recently? 

JS: I don’t know about having learned anything recently, but as I get older, I sure treasure, more and more, my loved ones. And you can separate love from temporary bullshit a little more.