Jenny And Johnny interview

I was lucky enough to interview Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice for Hive Mag regarding their new duo Jenny And Johnny at the sadly closing Luminaire (one of London's best venues, due to close at the beginning of January). They were lovely to talk to and a hugely fun interview. You can read the results below.

Arriving in the UK just as the snow brought the country to a standstill, Jenny And Johnny (that’s Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame and her boyfriend singer-songwriter Johnathan Rice) brought a little California sunshine with them to the wintery skies with their fun, clever power-pop, as heard on their debut album together We’re Having Fun Now. We caught up with them at their last UK show at London’s Luminaire where they were in high spirits about their new project together.

Jenny, you’re from California, how have you been coping with the cold and all the snow?

Jenny: It’s been cold but it’s been nice. I was raised in the valley outside of Los Angeles which is quite warm, so yeah, I’m not accustomed to the snow but I bought a pair of ugly wellies and they’ve been my best friend. I think if you have proper footwear you can get through anything. It’s a lesson that’s taken me 20 years to learn.

Jenny & Johnny at Bush Hall

Jenny & Johnny
La Sera

Bush Hall, 8 December 2010

I'm not going to lie to you, my main reason for going to this show was Jenny rather than Johnny. Jenny being Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame, who between playing witty, infectious pop with her old band also released two country rock-influenced solo albums and stole my heart along the way. I'm probably too old to adore her the way girls in their teens do, since I'm around the same age as Ms Lewis, but I do admit feeling a little awed when she walks on stage in a wow-inducing tight white polka dot dress, looking every inch the glamorous, sexy pop star (albeit it in the alternative world).