A couple of years ago I packed into a van with the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and Jessica Delfino for a tour down the eastern seaboard, turning in Georgia towards Texas. Jessica opened each show with songs like "My Pu**y is Magic" and "I Wanna Be Famous", both of which showcase her music style, called "dirty folk rock." 
She also drew an illustration of our crew in the minivan as a present to each one of us. That was a kind gesture. That's because she's a kind person.
She's about to tour Europe again this summer. Before she leaves, she'll be co-hosting a show with Diane O'Debra and Steph Sabelli called "Skit 'n' T**s" which is a burlesque comedy show that happens July 8 at 10PM at the Bowery Poetry Club.
How long have you been playing your style of music?
I've been playing guitar since I was 15 but started doing what I do now (raunchy insurgent folk and rock) about - woah - 6 years ago!
What inspired you to do dirty folk rock?
I started with regular old stand-up comedy and music was a natural metamorphasis. I wrote a song and played it for my comedian boyfriend at the time and he said, "You have to do that on stage." So first, an idea inspired me and then, a boy.
Where you playing in the UK?
I'm playing all over the friggin' place -- Latitude Festival July 16-19, Soho Theatre July 21-25, various gigs around London 26-31, Edinburgh Fringe Festival Aug 6-25, Galway Ireland Aug 26 and Reading and Leeds Aug 28-30. Doesn't that sound exhausting and fun?
Are you going alone?
I never travel alone. One great thing about touring is that I have friends all over the world. I'm meeting (mostly performer) friends in every city. It's gonna be like foreign cross-country comedy camp! I'll performing alone, as I usually do. But in London, my friend NYC comedian Jena Friedman is going to open the show.
What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading Nexus Plexus Sexus (Henry Miller) and taking my sweet old time. Reading his stuff is like trying to swallow a candy bar whole. I also really like reading glossy obscure art magazines and the occasional Marie Claire.
What are you currently listening to?
People give me CDs all the time, so I listen to a lot of local music. I am also really into old music. I'm on a permanent 80s R&B kick, Nu Shooz and Neneh Cherry, etc. But I'm also really into Depeche Mode and Siouxsi and the Banshees right now. Relaxing but jammin.
What inspires you?
Everything inspires me. The crazy crap New Yorkers wear, the weather, random things people say, asshole behavior, behavior in general, passionate, strange people. Ideas come to me like breezes and sneezes.
What other projects are you working on?
I have a monthly comedy burlesque show with Diane O'Debra and Steph Sabelli called "Skits'N'T**s". (Next one July 8 at Bowery Poetry Club, 10 PM.) It's a great show and I love working with Diane and Steph. I'm also pitching a couple of TV shows and a book series and planning a US tour in Spring 2010 with Ben Lerman. I also like to bake and I am constantly trying to perfect my banana bread recipe.
