Not too long ago, I was on a panel with music biz types talking about the future of music and giving advice to budding, wide-eyed, not-quite-yet jaded singer/songwriters. One thing we all agreed about was the importance of keeping your website fresh and consistently updated. Mine, as of late, has been very sad. I have neither an upcoming big tour nor brand new products to pimp. 

Just last week, I ran into this woman who used to work at Warner Chappell when I had my publishing there. She was not one of my champions. She didn't "get" or like my songs, and was always bragging about her best client and friend, Michael Bolton. The first thing she said (after an ingenuous hug) was, "are you still singing?" I wanted to reply "are you still a big jerk with bad taste?" 

Maybe, she didn't actually mean it in a snotty way. Maybe, she had just looked at the sad update section on my website.

So...this is what I've been doing since I've been back from touring:

Times Square - the musical:

  Last week, I was in Colorado holed up with Robin Eaton (my co-songwriter), fab director, Steve Cosson (the Civilians), and Jim Lewis (who wrote the book for "Fela," with Bill T. Jones). Do any of you remember "Times Square"? The movie that came out in 1980? If not, you are not alone. It is hard to find, but has now been crowned with cult status. It is a kind of girl buddy (with some sexual undertones) coming-of-age story that takes place in gross, dirty, dangerous - yet, way more fun - pre- Giuliani Times Square. Aspen might not have been the most inspiring place for writing it, yet it worked. I never slept, didn't shower, and drank the freshest wine.

Dottie's Charms:

  My pal Marykate, a few years ago, gave me a charm bracelet that she found on eBay. The former owner, named Dottie, looked like she wore it sometime around the 50s or early 60s. I had this idea of giving a particular charm to each of my favorite authors to write a lyric to - most have never written a song. I have collaborated, so far, with Rick Moody, Jonathan Lethem, David Hajdu, Luc Sante, Nick Tosches, and 7 other fancy-pants writers. I'm currently recording it and trying to figure out how to put it out.

Yentl:

 Yes, Yentl. Did you know that it was a play before it became one of my favorite bad movie night pics? I just read an old interview by I.B. Singer who wrote the short story. He was not thrilled with Bab's Yentl, nor in love with the music. I hope he will (in heaven) be more pleased with my attempt. As with "Times Square", it is also a coming-of-age story with some interesting sexual twists. The play will actually start it's run in January at the Asolo Theater. I better start writing. If I can only get that "Papa Can You Hear Me" song out of my head.

Yours,

Jill

Oh, I do have new Underdog Power Fist t-shirts to sell, as soon as I get them back from the all- women's (or womyn's) nudie Burning Man-like festival I played at last month. So check my store soon. 

Again, I love any requests, suggestions, stories or accolades.