Betsyness: get your daily dose!

I’m going to postpone my “Pink Fridays” post (c’mon now you knew there had to be a day dedicated to pink) to write about the current indie queen of Juno fame, Kimya Dawson. Her set was opened by this typically angsty singer-songwriter, Spoonboy, followed by a musician named Angelo Spencer who had a neat little act in the way that he added percussive elements to his guitar work by simultaneously playing the tambourine, stomping on the stage, etc. Angelo Spencer introduced himself as a guitarist from France, and my first thought was, “AWWWW, an indie frenchman! If only Katie were here!” (Because my dear friend Katie is one of the biggest francophiles). Angelo Spencer did have a french accent, although it was not a particularly strong french accent. It was as if he was from France but had spent so much time in the United States that his accent had been diluted, or he was just some dude from Pennsylvania or somewhere who decided to spicen up his act by using a fake french accent. Regardless, I thought that the addition of his french accent added an almost whimsical touch to the bluesy, Dylan-esque songs that he played, a perfect lead-in the the lovely Kimya Dawson.

I was actually hesitant to even go to this show. I loved Juno as much as the next person but I thought that she would be an overrated, riding the wave of a hit indie movie act. I also liked Ellen Page and Michael Cera (the actors in Juno) ’s version of “Anyone Else But You” much better than the Moldy Peaches’ version. But I am happy to say that Kimya Dawson was a delight, telling funny stories and jokes in between and during songs, constantly making fun of herself and the audience. I love self-deprecating humor.

Kimya also is blessed with most wonderful voice, even when she speaks it sounds melodic. It’s very light and almost childlike, and it has the ability to make even ugly sounding words like “fart” and “turd” sound very pretty. My favorite song of the night was an alphabet song off of her upcoming children’s album, where she used those words multiple times. Which leads me to three important points about Kimya Dawson that my friend Sarah was so proud to inform me of:

#1 She is married to that Angelo Spencer guy who played.

#2 They have a baby together, and its name is PANDA!!!!!!!!!

#3 Her kids album with the Alphabet song isn’t out yet, but it’s gonna
be called Alphabutt.

Okay, Kimya Dawson is officially my idol for being brave enough to name her kid “Panda” and writing a song titled “Alphabutt”.

Favorite Kimya lyrics:

they think we’re disposable,
well both my thumbs opposable

so i’ll curate some situations, make my job a big vacation
and i’ll say fuck bush and fuck this war
my war paint is sharpie ink and i’ll show you how much my shit stinks

we’re just dancing, we’re just hugging,
singing, screaming, kissing, tugging
on the sleeve of how it used to be

if you wanna burn yourself remember that i love you
and if you wanna cut yourself remember that i love you
and if you wanna kill yourself remember that i love you
call me up before you’re dead,
we can make some plans instead
send me an IM, i’ll be your friend

So I tattoo instructions on my ass

I like my new bunnysuit
I like my new bunnysuit
I like my new bunnysuit
When I wear it, I feel cute.