Jesika von Rabbit is back and stranger than ever.
After trailblazing high-desert rock as the front woman in her band Gram Rabbit, Jesika now steps out on her own with solo project, “Journey Mitchell.” Her album, music video, and stage show debut this month, with release parties in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Part pop princess parody, part desert gypsy, Jesika takes us on a strange trip. “Journey Mitchell,” is laden with New Wave influenced synths, keyboard melodics and infectious dance beats. But make no mistake — this is not a collection of pop songs that induce a brief sugar high; Jesika von Rabbit wants to penetrate and disturb you. The undercurrent of gothic industrial baselines, ghostly echoes and Jesika’s hallowing voice, leaves resin in your system that will bewitch you long after the music fades.
Jesika’s released single “Psychic Spice” shows off her campy sense of humor and illuminates her mystifying persona. The video opens with JVR auditioning to be the newest member of the Spice Girls — Jesika then erupts into song with electro beats, kinky lyrics, and 60s sci-fi sound effects. The visual effects are a kaleidoscope of colors and contorting body-parts that create the freaks and monsters that inhabit her demented world. “Psychic Spice” is a psychedelic weirdo-rock anthem that is too far out for mainstream girl bands.
Your solo sound is very different from Gram Rabbit- How did this evolution take place?
Honestly, I don’t find it too far a departure. Gram Rabbit always had an underlying electronic sound, especially on the album “Radio Angel and the Robot Beat”. I’m continuing where some of that left off. Also being that I was alone in writing the album, I didn’t have a full band at my disposal, so I utilized my keyboard, vocal and, programming talents.
What will listeners find along this, ‘Journey Mitchell?’
Ha, well they won’t find Joni Mitchell that’s for sure, but hopefully they’ll find the soundtrack to their next naked dance party.
Who are your music/art/fashion muses?
I’m pretty much just channeling a modern day female Willy Wonka.
Your single/music video, “Psychic Spice,” is crazy! How did you come up with the Spice Girl spoof, and the gorgeous grotesque imagery for the video?
Jessica, the director, came up with the Spice Girls spoof and as soon as she mentioned it, I was in because the idea had nebulously entered my mind as I was writing the song. The other imagery just seemed to naturally fall into place between all the talented and colorful friends we had on set. So much of it wasn’t planned; it just kept coming up on the spot, and then we wanted to keep topping the last idea.
How has the desert environment inspired your sound and twisted your psyche?
It’s hard not let the Dr.Suessian landscape affect an already strange rabbit brain. The openness out here allows for many creative thoughts to creep in. I’m sure I’d find something a little twisted to do no matter where I’d live but Joshua Tree has definitely helped that part of me along…there’s not too much to distract you out here. You are alone with your thoughts a lot.. Sometimes that can be scary and other times it leads to a weird blossoming creature…
What can we look forward to seeing at your live stage show?
You can look forward to shaking that ass with some bananas, gorillas and a dancing lunatic by the name of double OO Soul.
What lies further down the rabbit hole for Jesika von Rabbit?
(Tours abroad, performance art, film, next album?)
I’m working on my next video right now for the track “Glamorous Misery” with my new partner in crime, video director Jessica Janos. I’m also gearing up to perform in San Francisco, at Portland Gay Pride, and other West Coast dates in the works
WHO: Jesika von Rabbit
WHAT: Album Release Party — Performs Live
WHEN: Saturday, March 28 at 11pm
WHERE: Bar in Palm Springs (NO COVER)
See you there.
View her new video “Psychic Spice”