42nd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair to Rock Normal Heights with Eclectic Jesika Von Rabbit

The 42nd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair is set to rock the streets of Normal Heights this Saturday and Sunday, with Joshua Tree’s eclectic Jesika Von Rabbit among the highlights.

Southern California’s largest free two-day music festival will take over 10 blocks of Adams Avenue, offering a jam-packed weekend of live music, delicious food, craft beer, and family-friendly fun.

With 75 musical acts spread across seven stages, the festival promises a diverse lineup of performances that will cater to all musical tastes. From indie rock and folk to jazz and funk, the sounds of local and national acts will fill the air, offering something for everyone.

Among those festival-goers can look forward to: The Zeros ’77, Deadbolt, James Intveld’s Rockabilly Review, Planetarius, Creature Canyon, and Joshua Tree’s Jesika Von Rabbit.

In addition to the steady stream of music, the event will feature classic street fair eats and three beer gardens will serve up full pours of San Diego’s finest craft brews. VIP beer pre-sale tickets are available for $21.

The all-ages community event also includes carnival rides, the lively Fern Street Circus, and 300 exhibitors showcasing unique and locally crafted goods. A longstanding tradition, the Adams Avenue Street Fair is always a fun way to celebrate the end of summer.

Jesika Von Rabbit’s set is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Casbah Rock Stage, 33rd Street and Adams Avenue. Times of San Diego interviewed her this week about her background and plans for the performance.

What is your origin story? How did a choir girl from Green Bay evolve into Jesika Von Rabbit?

I came out of the womb loving music. My mom started me on piano lessons when I was six years old. I grew up as a child of MTV, and my mother was a professional singer in a rock ‘n’ roll cover band. My dad would take me out on Saturday nights to see her perform. It all looked very glamorous. I moved to Minneapolis in 1994 and formed my first all-girl punk band; then I joined an electro-pop/rock band called The Minx. I was the bass player and lead singer. We were pretty great, actually, and made a small splash in the Minneapolis music scene. I moved to LA in the late ’90s to continue my musical journey, and then to Joshua Tree. The rest is history.

Your music is quite eclectic. How does living in the high desert influence your art?

While living in the desert is a great place to write music and get inspiration, I believe my music would be eclectic no matter where I lived. I can’t see a situation where I’d be producing innocuous, vanilla mainstream. I’ve always been a little different and still feel the outside perplexion of being slightly misunderstood, and so is the plight of many artists.

Your dancers, The Grundles, emit a cheeky, American Horror Story vibe. Is that what you were aiming for?

I wouldn’t pinpoint it to something as specific as ‘American Horror Story’ but definitely cheeky. I love to entertain and get a rise out of people. I love the art of spectacle, and my influences regarding the dancers run through a vast filter of different creators, from Fellini to Jodorowsky to Willy Wonka.

What’s the story behind your new single “Gotta Keep My Buzz Going”?

It’s about my beloved cat Buzz, who was hit by a car a couple of years ago. We were very close, and his death affected me profoundly. I’m sure many people can relate to the sadness the loss of a pet can generate. This song is about keeping his spirit with me and honoring his life, but it can also translate to whatever the listener needs it to be for them; something positive that keeps them going is the hope.

How will your third album, due out next year, differ from your previous work?

The lyrical content in this next album is extremely honest. It contains admissions of personal struggles, loss, and views of the world, but not to sound too heavy, it’s still wrapped in whimsy and catchy hooks. I don’t think I’ve strayed too far from my last album. I would say this album is a good mix of Electronic and Americana, and it works together because it’s coming from the same storyteller. My bass player, Lee Joseph, has contributed a slew of soulful bass and guitar riffs, from pretty acoustic to Sex Pistols-style electric.

For those who come to your Adams Avenue gig, what can you guarantee they’ll leave with?

They will leave with an elevated heart rate and a big smile on their face; for a few moments in time, their troubles will be far away.  

Donovan Roche, a San Diego-based writer and editor, has covered the music, entertainment and arts scene for more than 30 years. Send your story ideas to droche17@cox.net.