Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Silly Rabbit

"I just played the keyboard player in the new Cyndi Lauper video 'Funnel of Love.'”

Jesika von Rabbit's Joshua Tree residence is known as "The Rabbit Ranch."
Jesika von Rabbit's Joshua Tree residence is known as "The Rabbit Ranch."

Try as you might, describing Jesika von Rabbit’s music/performance is not an easy task. She’s been referred to as everything from a “postmodern, intergalactic pop provocateur” to “part pop princess parody, part desert gypsy.” When this writer saw her perform at Soda Bar with bassist Lee Joseph, my thoughts fell on Lady Gaga meets David Lynch.

Von Rabbit formed Joshua Tree–based synth-pop band Gram Rabbit with partner Todd Rutherford in 2000. She says they “met under spooky and magical circumstances.” The group released six albums together, played the main stage at Coachella, and landed their music in TV shows (CSI, The Real World, Sons of Anarchy) and commercials.

Video:

"Looking for a Weirdo"

...by Jesika von Rabbit

...by Jesika von Rabbit

Last year, von Rabbit ventured out to release her solo debut, Journey Mitchell. For the album, produced by Rutherford, von Rabbit wrote all the songs (save one cover) and handled all the vocals, keyboards, and beats. It’s an eclectic mix of music that’s as quirky as it is danceable. At times evocative of ’80s new-wave bands like Missing Persons (“Spooky Action”) or contemporary advocates of electro-dance à la Gaga (“Gaydar”), Journey Mitchell feels both comfortably familiar and entirely fresh.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Thus far, von Rabbit has released three entrancing videos for singles stemming from the album. “Psychic Spice” starts with a Spice Girls spoof before morphing into a psychedelic mind-warp, while “Glamorous Misery” takes us inside a desert shack to reveal a goth sex den. While debuting the video for “Looking for a Weirdo” — which features full frontal — von Rabbit sat down to address why she has an affinity for Willy Wonka, how living in the desert influences her music, and what she likes to do on weekends.

Your music has elements of electronica, New Wave, goth/industrial, ’80s pop, psychedelia, dance... Given all that influence, which artists inspire you?

All kinds, from classical composers to punk rock to pop artists.

How did you come to be known as Jesika von Rabbit?

My stage name came from people frequently calling me Jesika Rabbit, and one of my favorite songs — Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”

You once said that you’re channeling a modern-day, female Willy Wonka. What did you mean by that?

It means I relate to his character very much. I like his style. He is cunning, whimsical, and colorful. I appreciate those attributes, they influence me.

You recently released the “Looking for a Weirdo” video. You’re pretty unique yourself, so I’m wondering, How do you define “weird”?

Weird for me is more about being interesting and wise and someone who finds joy in the absurd.

Jessica Janos directed all three of your videos from Journey Mitchell. What is it about her style that makes you want to work with her?

We see eye-to-eye. She’s a hard worker with an open mind. We have another video coming out in the next couple months for a new song I wrote called “I’m a Dog at a Human Party.” Really looking forward to this one!

What prompted you to cover Cyndi Lauper’s “She Bop” on the album?

I grew up a big fan of her album She’s So Unusual. I wanted to introduce a new cover into my repertoire, something from my past that I could slow down and do a ballad of in juxtaposition of the dancy, electro songs I was recording. I tried a few songs out until that one just came easy. Incidentally, I just played the keyboard player in the new Cyndi Lauper video “Funnel of Love.”

What are your plans for a follow-up to Journey Mitchell?

I’m working on new music. I may release singles/videos instead of waiting for an entire record to become finished.

Your performances can get pretty wild. How would you describe a typical Jesika von Rabbit show for someone who hasn’t experienced one yet?

It’s like an organized children’s tea party.

Given you’re riding the wave of your solo career, what’s the status of Gram Rabbit?

I plan on riding any wave that comes my way and my solo career isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. At this point, Gram Rabbit only performs on Halloween at Pappy & Harriet’s [a roadhouse bar in Pioneertown] and other special occasions.

How does living in the high desert influence your music and what do you do for fun out there?

It’s a vast, bizarre, tough, and beautiful place...can’t help but let those qualities soak into your music. For fun I like to hang out at Pappy’s, talk to my kitty cats, hold séances, and go exploring.

Your Joshua Tree residence is referred to as “The Rabbit Ranch.” It’s nothing like Nevada’s Bunny Ranch, is it?

Only on the weekends.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Happy accidents on the Bob Ross soundtrack

Jason Lee and Dave Klein craft new sounds for a classic show
Next Article

Kaylee Daugherty, Pinback, Chorduroy, Moondaddy, and Mr. Tube & the Flying Objects

Solos, duos, and full bands in Mira Mesa, Del Mar, City Heights, Little Italy, East Village
Jesika von Rabbit's Joshua Tree residence is known as "The Rabbit Ranch."
Jesika von Rabbit's Joshua Tree residence is known as "The Rabbit Ranch."

Try as you might, describing Jesika von Rabbit’s music/performance is not an easy task. She’s been referred to as everything from a “postmodern, intergalactic pop provocateur” to “part pop princess parody, part desert gypsy.” When this writer saw her perform at Soda Bar with bassist Lee Joseph, my thoughts fell on Lady Gaga meets David Lynch.

Von Rabbit formed Joshua Tree–based synth-pop band Gram Rabbit with partner Todd Rutherford in 2000. She says they “met under spooky and magical circumstances.” The group released six albums together, played the main stage at Coachella, and landed their music in TV shows (CSI, The Real World, Sons of Anarchy) and commercials.

Video:

"Looking for a Weirdo"

...by Jesika von Rabbit

...by Jesika von Rabbit

Last year, von Rabbit ventured out to release her solo debut, Journey Mitchell. For the album, produced by Rutherford, von Rabbit wrote all the songs (save one cover) and handled all the vocals, keyboards, and beats. It’s an eclectic mix of music that’s as quirky as it is danceable. At times evocative of ’80s new-wave bands like Missing Persons (“Spooky Action”) or contemporary advocates of electro-dance à la Gaga (“Gaydar”), Journey Mitchell feels both comfortably familiar and entirely fresh.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Thus far, von Rabbit has released three entrancing videos for singles stemming from the album. “Psychic Spice” starts with a Spice Girls spoof before morphing into a psychedelic mind-warp, while “Glamorous Misery” takes us inside a desert shack to reveal a goth sex den. While debuting the video for “Looking for a Weirdo” — which features full frontal — von Rabbit sat down to address why she has an affinity for Willy Wonka, how living in the desert influences her music, and what she likes to do on weekends.

Your music has elements of electronica, New Wave, goth/industrial, ’80s pop, psychedelia, dance... Given all that influence, which artists inspire you?

All kinds, from classical composers to punk rock to pop artists.

How did you come to be known as Jesika von Rabbit?

My stage name came from people frequently calling me Jesika Rabbit, and one of my favorite songs — Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”

You once said that you’re channeling a modern-day, female Willy Wonka. What did you mean by that?

It means I relate to his character very much. I like his style. He is cunning, whimsical, and colorful. I appreciate those attributes, they influence me.

You recently released the “Looking for a Weirdo” video. You’re pretty unique yourself, so I’m wondering, How do you define “weird”?

Weird for me is more about being interesting and wise and someone who finds joy in the absurd.

Jessica Janos directed all three of your videos from Journey Mitchell. What is it about her style that makes you want to work with her?

We see eye-to-eye. She’s a hard worker with an open mind. We have another video coming out in the next couple months for a new song I wrote called “I’m a Dog at a Human Party.” Really looking forward to this one!

What prompted you to cover Cyndi Lauper’s “She Bop” on the album?

I grew up a big fan of her album She’s So Unusual. I wanted to introduce a new cover into my repertoire, something from my past that I could slow down and do a ballad of in juxtaposition of the dancy, electro songs I was recording. I tried a few songs out until that one just came easy. Incidentally, I just played the keyboard player in the new Cyndi Lauper video “Funnel of Love.”

What are your plans for a follow-up to Journey Mitchell?

I’m working on new music. I may release singles/videos instead of waiting for an entire record to become finished.

Your performances can get pretty wild. How would you describe a typical Jesika von Rabbit show for someone who hasn’t experienced one yet?

It’s like an organized children’s tea party.

Given you’re riding the wave of your solo career, what’s the status of Gram Rabbit?

I plan on riding any wave that comes my way and my solo career isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. At this point, Gram Rabbit only performs on Halloween at Pappy & Harriet’s [a roadhouse bar in Pioneertown] and other special occasions.

How does living in the high desert influence your music and what do you do for fun out there?

It’s a vast, bizarre, tough, and beautiful place...can’t help but let those qualities soak into your music. For fun I like to hang out at Pappy’s, talk to my kitty cats, hold séances, and go exploring.

Your Joshua Tree residence is referred to as “The Rabbit Ranch.” It’s nothing like Nevada’s Bunny Ranch, is it?

Only on the weekends.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

University Heights Fall Festival, Haunted Ghost Town

Events October 19-October 23, 2024
Next Article

Three poems by Oso Guardiola

Conversation in the Cathedral, Schism, Runoff
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader