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Fan Interview: Jill Cunniff

As part of Luscious Jackson, Jill Cunniff helped rewrite the '90s alternative rock rulebook, casually blending post-punk harmonics, hip-hop rhythms, and gritty, lo-fi funk. A decade later, with her solo debut, City Beach, Cunniff continues to defy expectations. As the title suggests, City Beach is at once sunny and urban, a frothy pop twist on the old Luscious Jackson sound.

Here, Jill talks with super-fan Brittani of Louisville, Kentucky about some of her favorite songs, fellow artists, and other stuff.

Brittani: I have a beehive tattoo on my leg with 1992-2000 underneath, in dedication to you and the LJ girls. What is the craziest way a fan has shown appreciation for you or the band?

Jill:: Brittani, your tattoo definitely tops the list as far as band tributes! Can you send in a photo to ARTISTdirect?

Brittani: What artist or band, which you have not worked with already, would you like to write/play/perform music with in the future? Personally, I would love to see you and the girls formerly from Sleater-Kinney together on one stage.

Jill: I would love to write with Sleater-Kinney. Also would love to work with Bjork, Madonna, Everything But the Girl, Tahiti 80, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lupe Fiasco, the Shins, Neko Case, Feist, and many more! Would love to write a chorus on a rap tune.

Brittani: Are you planning a tour to the Midwest/Southern states to support you new album. Is Louisville in your future?

Jill: LJ is not playing out right now, but look for Jill Cunniff concerts on my website, JillCunniff.com (little plug). It depends on what offers come in and then we will figure it out.

Brittani: You are stranded on an island, you have an iPod with an unlimited battery, but it only holds ten songs. What would those ten songs be?

Jill: All the classics from my life:

John Coltrane - "My Favorite Things"
Neil Young - "Old Man"
ESG - "Moody"
Joao Gilberto - "Desde Que O Samba E Samba"
Grand Master Flash - "The Message"
Ricki Lee Jones - "Last Chance Texaco"
Big Youth - "S90 Skank"
Beatles - "A Day in the Life"
Pretenders - "Message of Love"
X Ray Spex - "Germ Free Adolescents"

Brittani: If you were not in music, what would be your occupation?

Jill: Probably a teacher or a writer. Maybe a painter.

Jill Cunniff's new album, City Beach, is available now in the ARTISTdirect Store.