Marie Claire: What's the story behind you being asked to record a song for Girls? Are you a fan?
Jenny Lewis: I was asked to come in, watch a scene and write something inspired by the episode. I was somewhat reluctant to watch [the episode] out of order, as I am a fan of the show. I was fully prepared to shield my eyes from any potential spoiler moments.
MC: What's "Completely Not Me" about?
JL: My friend Rostam from Vampire Weekend sent me a beautiful track to write over. My band Jenny and Johnny [with boyfriend and frequent collaborator Johnathan Rice] did some serious touring with those guys some years back and I was taken with their minimalist approach to pop music. Rostam and I worked at his friend's studio in the San Fernando Valley. The lyrics are inspired by Teen Wolf and the feeling that you can't control a sudden transformation.
MC: What's a typical day in your rock star world? We admit we're a little jealous!
JL: Coffee/hike/write/feed the fish/water the plants/red wine/play the drums/talk shit/Netflix
MC: You have some majorly famous friends and fans—who would we be most surprised to know is a Jenny Lewis groupie?
JL: I would never tell! Ok. The Mayor of Los Angeles.
MC: What brings you your greatest joy?
JL: The feeling when you finish a new song and you play it through in its entirety for the first time.
MC: Who are your music idols?
JL: Laura Nyro, Keith Richards, and Jerry Garcia
MC: One person you'd kill to collaborate with?
JL: Jack White
MC: I happen to know that you started out as a child actor. Anything people still recognize you from?
JL: Troop Beverly Hills and The Wizard!
MC: How did you earn your first dollar?
JL: In a Jell-O commercial when I was 3
MC: What's the best advice you've ever received?
JL: Forgiveness will save your life.
MC: Give us a glimpse at the songs at the top of your playlist right now?
JL: Real Estate, "Talking Backwards"; Skip Spence, "Weighted Down"; Parquet Courts, "Stoned and Starving"; Califone, "On the Steeple with the Shakers (X-Mas Tigers)"; and Cass McCombs, "Robin Egg"
MC: Twitter or Instagram?
JL: My true social media passion is making creepy short movies on Instagram. [Check href='http://www.twitter.com/jennylewis' target='_blank">@jennylewis
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