Jesika Von Rabbit returns to Phoenix

Electro-pop artist Jesika Von Rabbit and her bassist Lee Joseph, along with The Grundles, her troupe of costumed dancers, return to Phoenix for a show on Saturday, March 28, at Chopper John’s, where she’ll play her songs that fuse electronica, rock, and psych with some Americana.

Locally-based country singer Brea Burns (armed with an equally exceptional band of players) is also on the bill, which is rounded out by a set from DJ Davina. Here at S+N, we’ve said it before, so let us repeat ourselves: Don’t skip this one. Unless, of course, a fun night of rocking music that will get you vibing in all the good ways is not on your to-do list.

We had a chat with this prolific singer and multi-instrumentalist ahead of the upcoming Phoenix shindig.

Von Rabbit, who started playing in bands in Minneapolis when she was 19, says music has always been a part of her life and an early goal. “I grew up in a musical household. My mother was a singer in cover bands when I was a child and growing up, and I used to go see her, then rehearse in the basement. I just came out of the womb loving music. Like, I always knew that's what I wanted to do. So, that was just my path. I couldn't wait to leave Wisconsin and start moving to bigger cities to play music.”

Her early musical endeavors included an all-girl band called The Porn Flakes and a move to Los Angeles to see what could happen there. Eventually, her path led her to California’s High Desert — where she now lives, and it’s common to hear folks call her the region’s ‘queen.’ In the early 2000s, she met her former writing partner. She formed the indie rock and psych group Gram Rabbit, which released several records and toured, playing several big festivals like Coachella, before coming to an end.

The artist says Joshua Tree has been the perfect place to do her thing. “I had to leave L.A. to know who the hell I was,” she says. “It is just easier for me to create out here. There’s more space; I could think and not be so stressed out.” She also digs that so many people from around the world visit the desert town regularly, giving it both big-city and small-town energy.

Von Rabbit has been prolific in this solo phase, post-Gram Rabbit, releasing many singles and full-lengths, including the recent Bunnywood Babylon, which is loaded with dynamic, energetic tracks like “Gotta Keep My Buzz Going,” which maintains a jumpy beat that is potent while subtle, all forces combining to showcase her powerful voice.

In addition to her many goals, she wants people to focus on her voice. “I want to make everything I do count; every show, every performance. I’d like to get a little more notoriety out of my music and to notice that I do have a really great voice.”

I ask her whether she thinks her voice, which drives the ship, really stays under the radar for listeners.

“Sometimes I mask it with effects and in artsy songs, but I want people to know I’m a good vocalist and great entertainer. I might sing in an alien monotone or do something weird or wacky that doesn’t reflect what I can do, and I wanna make sure that I show off this gift I was given. I want to put my all into that and keep releasing music.”

One of the upcoming tracks is a cover of REM’s “Drive,” which should be out in a couple of weeks. “I’m excited about it,” Von Rabbit says. “I love the song, and I had a cool idea for it.”

Getting on a proper tour that will give the group more exposure is also something she’d like; maybe get in front of audiences in some other countries, too.

Mainly, she wants to give people a great experience.

“I want people to leave a show and feel like they were entertained. I want them to be happy, smiling, mesmerized. I want them to tell their friends. If I can entertain people and bring them out of their doldrums, hopefully they’ll spread the word a little bit, and that’s really all I can ask for.”

And as far as what she hopes people know about her, well, it’s a simple but important message.

“I’m a nice person. I love animals, and I just want the world to get along better. I want the chaos to end and for everyone to try and enjoy this time on the planet, and create and try to love each other.”