'Perfect Timing'

Award-winning singer/songwriter Molly Jenson's much-anticipated debut CD "Maybe Tomorrow" was released early March, 2009 during a flurry of activity surrounding it - including being nominated for best pop artist by the Orange County Music Awards, having her song used in a major ad campaign for the clothing line Stitches, a stop at the Sundance Film Festival where she played before a sold out crowd, and having her album tagged by the online rock publication Stereo Subversive as the "best album" of 2009!

Jenson, a singer/songwriter whose sparkling, heartfelt songs nod to Sheryl Crow and Aimee Mann, began to make a name for herself in small venues throughout California in the early 2000s. Aided by producer Greg Laswell, a singer/songwriter in his own right who co-wrote Jenson's debut, Jenson completed this debut album, "Maybe Tomorrow", in the spring of 2005!

Thanks to a tireless gigging schedule, the ever-rising popularity of her MySpace profile, and a collaboration with Switchfoot frontman Tim Foreman on his solo EP, Jenson found herself with a sizeable fanbase by the time 2009 rolled around.

Taking some time out recently with the lady herself, I first wondered what had been her musical influences growing up and how many still factored into her music today? "I listened to John Denver a lot as a kid. My mom was really into him so we listened too. I also listened to a lot of Alanis Morissette. I'm sure Alanis factors in a bit (without all the anger) but I really don't think the music I listened to as a kid and growing up factors much into what I write today. I think the music I listen to now and over the last couple of years factors way more into what I'm writing today."

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying your upcoming debut CD, how would you yourself describe your sound? "Folky Pop."

With a nomination already procured for best pop artist by the Orange County Music Awards and having one of your songs used in a major ad campaign for Stiches before the album has even come out is very impressive. Overwhelming or quietly expected? "Overwhelming but not in a negative way. More like in a fun, exciting, I can't really believe this is happening sort of way."

Taking a look at the front black and white cover art, I'm wondering what was going thru your mind, in the actual photo they chose to use? "Oh gosh, I have no idea what was going through my mind. Probably something like, "I hope I don't have any eye boogers right now"!"

The album title, 'Maybe Tomorrow' is an interesting choice, but where does it originate from? "We were originally going to go with "Beginning Here" but it seemed too obvious so we went with "Maybe Tomorrow". I think we thought we could look at it like "maybe tomorrow my cd will be picked up by a label and lots of people will buy it"."

Which turned out to be your favorite track ... and why? "My answer always changes for this but I think I'm going to have to go with "And You Were". The track on the record is the original take of the song. We recorded it just so we would remember how it sounded and then had my boyfriend come in and make it prettier with his fabulous guitar playing but it just sounded too pretty. So we went back to the orginal recording and kept it."

Indeed, how easy (or hard) is it to create a new, vibrant, wanted-by-the-public sound that both builds on and surpasses the musical wonderment's/accomplishments that preceded it within the industry? "With this first record came the first songs I've EVER written so my goal was just to get songs out that weren't super cheesy. If I surpassed that in my delivery than I'm shocked and excited and ask me the same question after the next record :)"

How did you musical relationship come about with regard Switchfoot's Jon Foreman? "I worked with Switchfoot as their online store manager for a long time. It wasn't until I quit working full time for them to start pursuing music more that Jon and I started working together. I think our mutual friends started talking about me more and then he realized that I was really serious about pursuing music and he wanted to just write with me and see what would come of it. He contacted me out of the blue and we got together to write. Luckily we got some songs out of it that we've both been able to use on records."

Ok, please tell us who Elijah Maverick is ... as word has it he is very special to you! "E-mav (as I like to call him) is my friends' son. I like babies so I was at the hospital shortly after he was born. I actually got to be there when his parents officially decided on Elijah Maverick and not Maverick Elijah (I was voting for the latter)."

If asked to record one for charity, what '80s (and possibly cheesy!) pop/rock song would you love to cover today ... and why?! "'Straight Up,' by Paula Abdul. I remember making up dances to that song when I was a kid. I still have it on my work out mix. Why wouldn't I want to cover it!"

Lastly, and throwing you a journalistic curve ball, Exclusive Magazine love Penguins ... do you?! "Love is a strong word. But I will say that I really, really, really like Penguins!"

Thanx again for doing this for us today, and we wish you all the best for the future. "Thanks so much for having me!!!"

Interviewed by: Russell A. Trunk

www.MollyJenson.com

Molly Jenson on MySpace

If you would like to win a copy of this brand new CD .. AUTOGRAPHED ... and you think you know all there is to know about the lady, just answer this easy question: Jenson was lead vocalist for two rock bands, Alta Moda and Infidels in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as frequent contributor to which other band, who also became a prominent Canadian band in the 1990s?!