Jill Sobule

Jill Sobule’s work is at once deeply personal and socially conscious, seriously funny and derisively tragic. In a dozen albums spanning three decades of recording, the Denver-born songwriter/guitarist/singer has tackled such topics as the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, shoplifting, reproduction, the French Resistance, adolescent malaise, LGBTQ issues, and the Christian Right. Her hits include “I Kissed A Girl” – the first openly gay-themed song ever to crack the Billboard Top 20 – and the alt-rock anthem “Supermodel” featured in the film “Clueless”. Sobule was one half of The Jill & Julia Show, providing music while actor Julia Sweeney contributes storytelling. Jill is considered a pioneer in crowdfunding and is constantly exploring and creating new models for artists in an ever-changing music industry. Her latest record is “Nostalgia Kills”, produced by Ben Lee and released on her own Pinko Records label. Jill’s theater credits include a musical adaptation of the Broadway classic “Yentl”, “Prozak and the Platypus”, and “Times Square”. Her latest, “F*ck 7th Grade”, was postponed due to Covid, but was performed and filmed for three days at a make-shift drive-in over the Summer. The musical is a finalist for the Lambda Literary awards in LGBTQ Drama category this June.

River Roads Festival is presented in partnership with the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) who coordinate the annual Source to Sea Cleanup, one of the nation’s largest river cleanups. The proceeds from ticket sales will help CRC prevent pollution, engage communities in research and advocacy, and promote enjoyment of the river and its tributaries. There will be a cleanup event in Easthampton on Sunday, September 8th, the day after the festival. Artists from the Festival lineup will join the cleanup effort. Sign up to join the River Roads cleanup here!