Outspoken lesbian singer/songwriter JD Samson continually works on new projects and is constantly touring. Her groups, MEN and Le Tigre, have gained their own unique loyal followings over the years. She has worked with notable artists like The Cars, Peaches and Christina Aguilera.
Samson appeared in the movie Shortbus, co-founded a performance art group called Dykes Can Dance, and released JD's Lesbian Calendar with photographer Cass Bird.
Nunn gave Samson a call the day her tour opened on the road.
Windy City Times: Hi, JD. How have you been since we talked last? Sounds like you have been busy.
JD Samson: Oh my gosh, yes!
WCT: We chatted at Berlin Nightclub after your last gig here.
JD Samson: I guess it was last year maybe. I usually go to Chicago like three times a year or something.
WCT: Talk about your new album, Labor.
JD Samson: Well, our new record came out Oct. 22 [of last year]. Since then we have not been touring that much. We have been doing shows in town and a few choice shows out of town when they come up. We put the record out ourselves so we have been really busy doing the business side of things as well as the creative side, which has been fun but a new side of the project.
WCT: A lot of "Labor" involved!
JD Samson: Yes, a lot of "Labor" involved, totally.
WCT: The latest single is "All The Way Thru?"
JD Samson: Yes, but today there will be a premiere of a new track as well. We are excited about that. We wanted to put something out before this tour so we could drum up some more excitement. That is what people do these days they just put stuff out.
WCT: It is a different world...
JD Samson: I know, you can stream the single and that is better than putting something out.
WCT: Do you like the dynamic of being with a band as opposed to being a solo artist?
JD Samson: I really like collaboration and I am a people-pleaser. I love getting support from other people on a project. I think that is a really big part of it. I love the idea of sharing information and trying to build something together. Maybe it comes from my history of community work. I think that is really important to me.
It has been interesting. This band has changed so much since the beginning. In the beginning it was a collaboration with side people from different groups. It has now whittled itself down to myself and Michael O'Neill and a rotating cast of people that play with us onstage. I know the bigger collaborations have been happening with the producers. That has been pretty cool since we hadn't really worked with different producers before. I love the production aspect of the work so that kind of collaboration is really stimulating to me.
WCT: Well, producers will influence what you are already doing.
JD Samson: Exactly. I tend to think really conceptually when I produce so it is fun to sneak that stuff in instead of being so heavy-handed about it. I think it is exciting for other producers to think that way.
WCT: You have been doing a lot of Scissor Sunday parties in New York. Are they lesbian parties?
JD Samson: The intention with the first party that I started two years ago was that it would be a lesbian tea dance. It was in the West Village then wound up being a total gay guy party, which is awesome. It is packed all the time and great. I am thankful for that and now is pretty mixed. Every party is completely different. Sometimes the guys come early and the girls come late or mixed the whole time. It really depends on who is DJing. I have always loved that vibe of it doesn't matter who is here but we are all happy and having fun. It is a family-style feeling since it is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. It feels a little like church.
WCT: Or maybe like a late brunch?
JD Samson: Yes. There is food there so people go to brunch then come after. It is a really nice feeling.
WCT: Are they at one place?
JD Samson: Different venues. One place is called The Rusty Knot. I have another party called PAT that is at Union Pool. We are a little hiatus right now because the party takes up an outdoor space. We hope to come back in March.
WCT: Since you are in Chicago about three times a year we should do a party here.
JD Samson: I know we have talked about it. It would be fun to do a PAT party there.
WCT: Do the initials "PAT" stand for something?
JD Samson: No—it is named after the character from Saturday Night Live.
WCT: Oh, Julia Sweeney, who is from Illinois. I've interviewed her before.
JD Samson: No way! We have some friends in common. That character was really important to me when I was younger just because it was a reclaiming to me about androgynous people. She was a hero to me.
WCT: She told me the reaction from the transgender community has always been positive.
JD Samson: I totally believe that.
WCT: Are you doing any more calendars? I know you did a lesbian calendar before.
JD Samson: We have talked about it, myself and the photographer I worked with before but we need to find the time. When we did it before it was just doing something crazy one week, now we can't find a week that we are both free!
WCT: 2014 has already started so it would have to be 2015.
JD Samson: We both talked about how that would be a really good year. 2015 will be crazy!
WCT: How was your DJ tour in Europe?
JD Samson: It was good. I go there quite often, maybe a few times a year. It is really awesome to get over there and experience different parties. It is super fun to experience new cultures musically.
WCT: Did you get to see Peaches while in Germany? We had dinner over there once.
JD Samson: That is cool. She is the best host. I went there to visit her in 2001. I surprised her. How wild is that? I just showed up at her door!
WCT: On this tour will there be pink helmets all attached together like on a past tour I saw?
JD Samson: No, we are not doing that. We always have a different thing. This time we have costumes and a backdrop. Hopefully it will be good. Our first show is tonight so we will see how it all meshes together. We will probably make changes along the way. You will get us after we have been doing it a little while so it will be good.
WCT: You are always fun to see live and the people that attend have a great vibe.
JD Samson: Thank you and see you at the show.
Samson sings at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., on Jan. 31. Visit emptybottle.com or call 773-276-3600 for tickets and information.
