Have No Fear, Pop Music’s Underdog Is Here

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 30, 2004 4:39PM

Remember that song “I Kissed A Girl” that you’ve been seeing on VH1’s “I Love The 90s” recently? That tune’s acoustic hooks and gentle mockery of then-trendy lesbian chic made Jill Sobule a brief
shining light in the pop world. But pop stardom isn’t for those who name-drop Tennessee Williams or write songs about Mexican Wrestlers. Like Aimee Mann (without the songs about evil record companies), Sobule has built a solid following by writing brilliantly crafted albums that speak to--and gently chide--the human experience. Plus, she rocks hard.

Perhaps the rest of the world is catching up: Sobule’s work is all over the new movie Mind The Gap and she’ll be writing songs for an upcoming Nickelodeon show called “Unfabulous.” Do yourself a favor and buy a copy of her new album Underdog Victorious and catch her at Martyr’s this Saturday at 10 PM. When the pop charts once again surrender to her music, you can say you’ve been “into her this whole time.”

Confidential to residents of Andersonville: Chicagoist knows you’re conflicted about whether to go see Jill at Martyr’s or haul it out to the suburbs to catch Melissa Ferrick at Fitzgerald’s that same night. But fear not! Melissa Ferrick returns to the city proper on October 28th to play a show at the Double Door. Crisis averted.