Nissue #18: Cassandra Jenkins, Musician.
A few months ago, I was reading Pitchfork and came across a review for An Overview On Phenomenal Nature, the new album by Cassandra Jenkins. I had never heard of Cassandra — my tastes are normally stuck somewhere between Jeff Tweedy, Bono and Mick Jagger — but on first listen I was immediately drawn in. So I reached out to her publicist, the amazing Pamela Nashel at Siren’s Call PR, and to my surprise, the interview was on!
Nish: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Cassandra: Completely dissolving to whatever I’m doing. Flow state I suppose.
Nish: What was your worst job ever?
Cassandra: I’ve worked some really weird jobs over the years, but I’ve ultimately learned something valuable from all of them, even if I didn’t particularly enjoy the work. I find a lot of value in simply executing a repetitive task, and occasionally even motivation from doing work I don’t particularly love. But there is one that stands out as the worst job ever. It required me to sign a 20 page NDA and involved tens of thousands of dollars in Christmas tree ornaments. That’s probably all I’m legally allowed to say. It totally sucked my soul and I ended up spending all of the money I made trying to forget it. So even that one taught me something – to value my spirit over a hefty paycheck. Everything comes at a cost, and I’d take no/low wage any day over doing that job again. Learning my limits.
Nish: What was your first job ever?
Cassandra: My first internship was working for Callaway Editions, the book publisher known for Madonna’s “Sex.” My first paid JOB job was working on the editorial staff of the New Yorker magazine, as the Assistant to the Photo Editor.
Nish: What was your best job ever?
Cassandra: The one I have right now!!! Seriously.
But I’ve loved so many jobs- working at a flower shop, restoring precious gems for the museum of natural history, babysitting incredible kids in the west village, selling greens at the farmers market, teaching high school landscape painting. My dad always said getting the job is the best part, and there’s truth to that but getting really good at a job is a good feeling too.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Cassandra: Self-hatred/obsession, same thing.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Cassandra: Self-hatred/obsession, same thing.
Nish: What’s some advice you’d give to yourself at 23?
Cassandra: I know everyone is already telling you this, but really: Don’t worry about what other people think of you. Go ahead and pave your way. And! Acts of kindness go a long way - you really never know how far.
Nish: What is your greatest extravagance?
Cassandra: Impulsivity.
Nish: You have exclusive dinner reservations for 4, excluding family and close friends, who are the 3 people (alive, dead or imaginary) you’d invite?
Cassandra: Tempting to say Einstein and Jesus because I just rewatched Adaptation. Such a good movie. This changes all the time.
George Harrison, Dolly Parton, Tig Notaro.
Nish: What is the theme song of your professional life?
Cassandra: Livin’ On A Prayer. We all know that song :)
Nish: What is your motto?
Cassandra: Tomato tomotto.
Nish: What is something you’re really excited about right now?
Cassandra: I’m excited to travel. And to sell out the Bowery Ballroom one day…
End Interview.
P.S. If you like music, you might also dig my interviews with Spencer Tweedy Kat Robichaud, Sondre Lerche, and Ben Fong-Torres!