Site News

"What the World Needs Now"

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:41:18 -0500

"What The World Needs Now" was the theme of this year's TED conference. Here is the song we recorded there on the Lennon Educational Recording Tour Bus. Singing along with me are: John Doe and Sarah Watkins. The video was made with the participation of the Palm Spring attendees. They were all given a card where they wrote one word with a cartoon.

I loved reading the comments Youtube. Someone called me a "hippie bitch". I think that is going to be my new band name.

MP3

Palm Springs at TED

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:27:48 -0500

Do you all know the TED conference? It's an incredible 4 day gathering of some of the smartest and most fascinating people of the planet. I have been going for years, and before it got so fancy. Every year, I wait for that call that says, "Jill we would like to invite you to TED" -otherwise, I would never be able to afford it. I sing for my supper.

Three years ago, they added another location during the conference called TEDactive, which now is in Palm Springs. It is smaller, thus more intimate, a little younger, less self-important and maybe more fun. Also, it cost half the price. Last year, I put together a ragtag group of musicians for a night of music. For some reason -and I can't remember how or why, we called ourselves..."Taco Pants". Taco Pants, by the way, is a very un-TED-like name. We did a mix of originals and worthy covers. The personal of Taco Pants changed this year, but it always includes band leaders: John Doe (X, and Knitters) and me. This year we added Don Was on upright bass, and Sarah Watkins on uke and violin.

We played two shows: one in the loud hotel bar, the other in some strange fake western ghost town right on the San Andreas fault. Not only could you hear our band, but you could put someone in jail, shoot bb guns at a booth, and drink all the free bear and wine you acquired. BB guns and alcohol -what a mix! Also, performing that night were String Theory and the DJs from Dublab (who are so deep with their musical knowledge and good taste. That is a good combo)

So, here is a video taken from a friends phone of a couple of Taco Pants numbers. Sarah Watkins sings an old Linda Ronstadt on her ukelele, and I sing Big Shoes. My mother joins in with a rap she wrote -really

UK Tour Dates added / Jill and Julia US shows added, too.

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:57:03 -0500

Visit the "shows" page on the website to see the UK Tour Dates in March 2010, as well as some new Jill and Julia Shows in January.

The Jill and Julia (Sweeney) Show returns - New Years Eve and...

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:46:06 -0500

The first one is on New Years Eve in Chicago (actually in Evanston at a great place called Space). I hate going out New Years Eve, It's amateur hour. I usually avoid playing that night. However, we came up with a great idea:

How about we play at...6:00 PM? Everyone can be home by 8:30 to either put on pajamas and drink port, or they can go out and get trashed. It's a show for everyone.

We are back at Joe's Pub in New York January 10th. I miss playing there.

Then, we are in San Francisco -on the 27th - for The San Francisco Sketchfest. This will be my first comedy festival.

Here is a song that we wrote for the movie of her one-woman show, "Letting Go of God". Check out my banjo playing.

Dreidels, more shows, NYC, and Good Morning America

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:19:28 -0500

My semi-famous 2005 Xmas record is on sale on my website. And with each purchase you get a signed CD and a real wooden DREIDEL!

The record includes "Merry Christmas to the Family" , "Jesus was a Dreidel Spinner", and the song that EW magazine included in their top ten list of "Most Depressing Xmas songs" How can you not order this for yourself, your friends, and your relatives?

If you are on the East Coast, there are still 3 more Erin and Jill shows:

Tonight (Dec. 3): "The Saint" in Asbury Park, NJ.

Tomorrow (Dec 4) is in NYC at the Highline Ballroom. I think Good Morning America is coming to interview me-probably about fan-funding. What do I wear?

If you hate going out New Years Eve -like I do -come to Chicago and see the Jill and Julia (Sweeney) show at Space in Evanston (near Chicago). Our idea was to start at 6:00PM, so folks, including ourselves, can be home by 9:00 to either Party or call it a night.

When I get home from tour, I hope to just spend time writing and recording.

Email me back with any ideas, questions, or jokes

xo, jill

Oh, also we have shows in Western Mass and Philly.

Mountain Stage

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:49:22 -0400

I've got "the song of the week" on Mountain Stage. Also the show will be on the air this weekend. A complete list of stations that carry the show can be found...here.

Clash of The Legends and more!

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:56:47 -0400

Guys, join my FB musician . You can meet other fans and friends at the shows. And...I was a matchmaker-two people who met through this site... are now going out! I've never been more proud of my career.

Erin and I have created a website where we will host a semi-regular show backstage during our tour. Who knows what will happen or how I will look after a 12 hour van ride.

http://www.clashofthelegends.com/

I just spent a day in the studio working on new songs.Thinking of a Valentines EP.

I went to my HS reunion. Was actually fun. I'm glad I decided not to go as an old alcoholic, crazy ala Baby Jane, ex-pop star.

I heard Rush is thinking of buying the the Rams. What would you do if you were a big St. Louis Fan? I'm just wondering.

That's the latest.

Also, if you come to any of the shows, and want to hear a specific song, let me know ahead of time...so I can practice it.

Shows Shows Shows

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:16:13 -0400

Check out my tour schedule. I've got to get new luggage and learn to pack better -fold or roll? Not only am I out with the marvelous Erin, but I have some fun solo shows and the "mystery train". I hope I'm in your town.

Jill on the radio

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:41:11 -0400

I have been on the Loft XM this week with a live in studio hour performance . I'm on now and Sunday (13th) night. Check it out!

Also, I will be guest DJ (Honey Wagon is my name) on FUV Sunday morn on the breakfast hour.

lots of new stuff

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:22:20 -0400

My fall tour!!!

Check out the schedule. I hope I'll be in or near your town. Most of the shows will be co-billed with the small but mighty Erin Mckeown. If in Boston Sunday, I am playing the Boston Folk Fest.

And if not in Boston, you can hear me play and guest DJ on WFUV for the Breakfast show. John Platt and I did a kind of a West Coast vs East Coast music smack down. Should be fun.

I had to go to the dentist today. Dental insurance is pointless. I just had to add this.

Lastly, I am finally doing something with the street team. You can still join.

Two New Shirt Designs in the Jill Store!

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:59:02 -0400

We've just added two brand new T-shirts to the Jill Store, both inspired by Jill's new album, California Years. Check them (and all our other great merchandise) out! - Visit the Jill Store here.

See the Southwest by Rail with Jill this November!

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:17:23 -0400

We're excited to announce a really special event coming this November!

November 14-18, we invite you to join Jill along with Stan Ridgway and The Handsome Family for an unforgettable trip through the American southwest aboard the Mystery Train.

The train departs Los Angeles Union Station on Saturday, November 14th and traces the lines of Route 66 across the Mojave Desert en route to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The trip continues by rail back to Winslow, Arizona, then by motorcoach to the Grand Canyon, followed by a return trip by rail from Flagstaff back to L.A. The four-day journey includes travel on four private luxury rail cars and private motorcoach, accommodations on board the train and at the historic La Posada Hotel ("the last great railroad hotel") in Winslow, gourmet meals, and, of course, lots and lots of great music.

This will be a once in a lifetime trip, unforgettable and intimate — only fifty people can be accommodated.

For more information or to reserve your spot, please check out the Mystery Train web page or download the brochure here.

Jill Serenades Rupert, Arianna Approves

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:32:50 -0400

This year, as last year, Jill was invited to appear at the "D" (All Things Digital) conference, the annual get-together of movers, shakers, and forward thinkers in the digital technology world, sponsored by the Wall Street Journal. This year, Jill was the second person to appear on stage on the opening day of the conference. Her opening act? The new owner of the Journal, a certain Australian media mogul and arch Conservative who needs no introduction.

About an hour before her appearance, conference hosts Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher suggested Jill open her set with a song about Mr. Murdoch. "Now as most people know, I am a bit of a lefty," Jill wrote of the experience in a blog post for the Huffington Post, She couldn't be mean, and that, she said, was a tall order.

Here's the song Jill performed, which Arianna Huffington, herself a digital media mogul, called one of the highlights of the conference:

A Special Mother's Day Tune!

Sun, 10 May 2009 10:11:45 -0400

Check out our donwloadable tunes page for a special addition in honor of moms everywhere. It's an annual Sobulistan tradition.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

UK: Order the New CD from Rough Trade

Fri, 08 May 2009 01:02:32 -0400

We're pleased to announce the exclusive availability in the United Kingdom of Jill's California Years album through Rough Trade Shops. Rough Trade is carrying the new album in their stores and on their website, with fast and inexpensive shipping available throughout Europe.

To order California Years from Rough Trade, go to this page.

Welcome to Sobulistan!

Mon, 04 May 2009 02:39:54 -0400

Hey! Welcome to SOBULISTAN, the brand spankin' new JillSobule.com! We hope you'll enjoy our new format and the new features we're adding, some of which are up and running now some of which are coming soon ... But all of which, we hope, will help make this one of your favorite destinations on the web.

We're still getting used to the new place here, fixing things up, dusting things off, and, more than likely, making a mistake or two here and there. Please bear with us as we endure our growing pains together. We're pretty sure they'll be short lived.

The new JillSobule.com was designed, developed and built by KellyAnne Hanrahan, Tony Camas, and (of course) Jill Sobule. If you have any comments or questions, we'd love to hear from you! Please write to webmaster@jillsobule.com.

And stay tuned, because there's more -- much more -- to come.

No War on Christmas Here!

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:53:18 -0500

The holidays are upon us, and we're not afraid to use the word "Christmas," Bill O'Reilly. Or, for that matter, the word "Hanukkah" (using the most commonly preferred of its multiple spellings) either.

Check out Jill's Show & Tell to download some great seasonal music, or visit Jill's Journal to check out Jill's musings on Christmas vs. Hanukkah.

Jill and I (your webmaster) would like to thank everyone for their love and support this year, and to wish you all the very best holiday(s) of your choice (okay, Bill, you can complain now) and all the best in 2009!

Listen to Jill on PRI Election Special Today!

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:20:04 -0400

This just in: Jill will appear as part of a live program being produced by Phoeniz, Arizona radio station KJZZ and distributed to public radio stations around the U.S. by Public Radio International.

Down To The Wire, hosted by former CNN anchor Aaron Brown and veteran political reporter Elizabeth Arnold (most recently with NPR), will, according to its website, be a four-hour "national conversation Ã�Æ�Ã�Â¢Ã�Â¢Ã¢â�¬Å¡Ã�Â¬Ã�â��Ã�Â¦ exploring a dozen topics Ã�Æ�Ã�Â¢Ã�Â¢Ã¢â�¬Å¡Ã�Â¬Ã�Â¢Ã¢â��Â¬Ã�â�� from the economy and race, to health care and satire Ã�Æ�Ã�Â¢Ã�Â¢Ã¢â�¬Å¡Ã�Â¬Ã�Â¢Ã¢â��Â¬Ã�â�� at this important American moment." A number of high profile guests are planned, with much of the satire coming from Jill, who will present three new songs written just for the broadcast.

The show runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (local time in Phoenix), which is 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, November 2. It will be carried (mostly) live by over 200 public radio stations across the country, though some will only carry part of the program. A list of a dozen or so major stations carrying the show in its entirety can be found on this page. The show will also be carried live by XM Satellite Radio on its Public Radio Channel (channel 133, or Sirius channel 196 if you have the "best of XM" option). If you don't have access to any of the radio stations, many of them stream their programming from their websites.

Halloweeen 2008: Still Slutty

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:45:38 -0400

What are you dressing up as this year? For those whose answer to that question is not "Sarah Palin," Jill's musical essay on Halloween creativity (and the lack thereof), Slutty Halloween, is now up for your consideration. Check out our recently updated Show and Tell (music downloads) page to give it a listen!

Sorry, 9/20 Largo Show Canceled!

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

IMPORTANT NOTE: We regret that Jill's show at Largo in Los Angeles, originally scheduled for this Saturday evening, September 20th, has been canceled due to required electrical work at the venue. The show will be rescheduled as soon as possible, and we apologize for any inconvenience.