If you watched the recent Disney movie, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, you probably noticed a very catchy pop-rock track that played during the credits. What makes the song, called “Best Worst Day Ever,” even more notable, is that it was written and performed by one of the young stars of the film, Kerris Dorsey, along with her big sister, Justine.
Justine will be releasing new music in 2015, and we got the chance to ask her a few questions about it as well as collaborating with her sister. Check out her answers below!
Nice to meet you Justine! Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi!! You are reading this because I am a 19-year-old singer/songwriter with new music to talk about! You are also reading this because you are probably avoiding writing an essay, which is what compromises 90% of my time. (The procrastinating, not the essay writing. Obviously.)
You recently collaborated with your sister, Kerris, on the song and video “Best Worst Day Ever,” which appears on the Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day soundtrack. How did that come about?
Kerris is in Alexander; she plays Alexander’s sister Emily, who also plays a fantastically cough-syrup-drunk Peter Pan in a school play. The director, Miguel Arteta, basically said to her, “Look, we need music for the movie, and I know you write. If you want to write something, I would love to put it in the movie. Please try and make it about unicorns.” That last bit was added by me, mainly because I was really pushing for a song about unicorns, but Kerris said no.
What has been the best part about working with your sister?
She’s my best friend, sooooo all of it. It was so fun recording with her because normally, when I record, I’m stuck in a box for hours by myself. That sounds a lot worse than it actually is, it’s just when I put it into words that it sounds crazy!
And the worst?
Despite everything I just said, she’s actually a really terrible human and we only speak to each other when paid.
I’m kidding, obviously – I loved every moment of working with her. What kind of question is this??
Who do you consider your strongest role model and why?
You know, I’ve been asked this a lot, and I’ve always been puzzled by my inability to come up with an answer. I think it’s because the criteria we have for a “role model”, especially when it comes to a role model for girls, is incredibly limiting. I also think there’s danger in projecting everything you want to be onto a single person. So I have multiple role models, mainly women, who are complicated and opinionated and beautiful and who I get to watch figure out their lives alongside me, whether that be on a public level (i.e. Lorde) or on a more personal one (i.e. my sister). Ultimately, that is far more inspiring. Role models should not have to be perfect.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
To communicate with animals, because helloooo.
If had the chance to pass ONE law everyone on the Earth had to follow, what would it be?
Listen to those who identify as women. There is so much wrapped up in this that I would love to talk about, but I’ll keep it to this: women are the most marginalized people on this planet, and it’s time their freedoms, opinions, bodies, jobs, etc. are valued as equal with men’s.
What do you have coming up next?
I’m recording five new singlesssss and they’re all being released in the ensuing months! And next year, my first full-length album is going to be out. You have no idea how excited I am for this… Things are clicking, and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with everyone!
How can your fans keep in touch with you? (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Ooh, I’m on aaawwwwlll the social media. I’m @justinedorsey on Twitter and Instagram, and Justine Dorsey – Singer/Songwriter on FB!
Anything else we should know?
If ya want to come to a show sometime, I’ve got my schedule up on my website: http://justinedorsey.com. Also, I have loads of videos up on my YouTube page: http://youtube.com/JustineDorseyMusic
Can you send us a selfie of whatever you are doing right now? Could be silly, serious, hugging your cat…whatever! : )
I managed to put on makeup this morning, but not to change out of my pajamas. Hm.
