Artist Review: ‘Juno’ Kimya Dawson

Second Place

Review

Division 3

Artist Review: ‘Juno’ Kimya Dawson

S. Irene Saylor

Grade 11

E-town ExPRESSion

Elizabethtown HS

Adviser: Michele Cekovsky Henry

A big, pregnant belly, to short guy shorts, a chair and plenty of laughs.

Juno is the new indie-film that is forcing its way into the mainstream with its witty dialogue and catchy soundtrack. Juno was nominated for four Oscars, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

On top of all of these honors, the soundtrack has been doing phenomenally. It reached number two on the Billboard 200. It also became a top soundtrack and top digital soundtrack as well.

The hit song from the record, “Anyone Else But You,” is by The Moldy Peaches. The now “disbanded” band was composed of Kimya Dawson, Adam Green and friends.

When Ellen Page, who plays Juno, was asked what she thought her character would listen to, she said “The Moldy Peaches.” That is how it all began. Dawson was contacted and asked for some of her music, she revealed on ABC’s popular The View. She sent her albums to the director, Jason Reitman, and, “They liked it, I guess,” Dawson said.

Although her fame has grown considerably, Dawson seems to still be humble. She could easily be playing larger venues, but she plays house shows and at little, independent record stores.

Dawson went to Philadelphia while on tour and played at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia, Saturday, Jan. 19.

The building is home to the Philadelphia branch of The Ethical Humanist Society, a group that promotes dignity and provides altruistic aid to others.

The building itself was quite small and there was literally no backstage. It is best described as church-like.

When Dawson took the stage, her first request was that everybody sit, asking, “Is there physically not room for you all to sit?”

Dawson was imperfect, but her fans seemed to like her that way. She interacted with the audience, joking around and conversing freely. Kimya spoke about her upcoming performance on The View and about her admiration for Whoopi Goldberg. Dawson said that she was inspired and molded by a cassette tape of Goldberg on Broadway.

She then joked, “Do you guys even know what cassettes are?” and mockingly replied to herself, “They’re those things on t-shirts at Hot Topic.”

Dawson plays shows a lot, but she does not shy away the recording microphones. After her stunt with The Moldy Peaches, Dawson produced six solo albums. She is currently working on a new album for babies called “Alpha-Butt.” With all the publicity garnered by Juno, there is no place for Kimya Dawson to go but up.