Zooey Deschanel

[saann]

I love all these gifs from 500 days of summer, she is seriously my latest girlcrush

 

[papa_levante]

Zooey D and Joseph G-L Are Thankful For the Past, the 'Summer' and the Future
November 25, 2009

Why are we so thankful for Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel in 2009? Simple. The duo redefined the "cute couple" with their cool characters in "(500) Days of Summer." They almost made us forget about all the generic rom-coms and recycled relationship tropes regurgitated onto movie screens over the past year. We salute them for their originality, their willingness to take risks and their joyful, affecting, truthful portrait of love and loss.

Recently, Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel stopped by the MTV News offices to chat about their on- and off-screen bond, their other successful projects this year and what we can look forward to from them in the future — including a possible reunion on the big screen.

MTV: You guys are here for a special reason today. We're taking a look back at the things we're thankful for this year, and thanks to your work individually and in "(500) Days of Summer," you are two of the people we are most thankful for. Do you have a speech prepared?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Uh, no. Should I?

Zooey Deschanel: I knew to have a speech! No, I didn't. I'm excited though.

MTV: This isn't the first blush with success for either of you, but does 2009 feel like a particularly special year?

Gordon-Levitt: I think so. 2009 started at Sundance for me. "(500) Days of Summer" premiered there, and that was the first time everybody saw it. And a short film I made called "Sparks" played at Sundance, and then Barack Obama became president, which was one of the more cathartic, emotionally reinforcing, positive experiences I've really ever had. It feels like a special year.

Deschanel: It's a very special year. It's the end of the aughts, which is sad.

Gordon-Levitt: The end of the aughts! Thank you, I've been looking for the name of this decade, and I haven't known what it was.

MTV: So, for you especially, Zooey, the aughts were essentially the decade when you came of age as an actress, when you essentially got started. Is it bittersweet to see your first decade as an actress come to an end?

Deschanel: It's exciting. I have to say, Sundance 2001, Joe and I had to be there with "Manic." I've been so lucky to work with Joe twice. Book-ending the aughts. And hopefully, it will be more frequent.

Gordon-Levitt: Into the teens. And the '20s.

Deschanel: And the '20s and the '30s and '40s and the '50s. And we'll live to a million by that point, because they'll have all kinds of drugs to keep us alive.

Gordon-Levitt: Of course, because we'll be cyborgs.

MTV: What did you two make of each other — be honest — because you're getting along now, but when you first met each other, was there something there? Did you not know what to make of this guy or vice versa?

Deschanel: I just thought he was so cool. He was so cool and such a great actor. So intense. Very different — a different sort of role in our first movie together than you and I were playing in ["(500 Days"].

Gordon-Levitt: You have to understand the context of when we met, it wasn't for "(500) Days of Summer," it was for "Manic," which we did almost 10 years ago, and we shot it on really cheap cameras. And it was this really heavy drama, and I was playing this guy that was ...

Deschanel: ... tortured ...

Gordon-Levitt: ... so angry that he would beat people up, and she was this oasis of warmth and love and melted my heart right away.

MTV: You've done it twice now — could there be a third movie for you guys? If you could write the script here and now, what kind of genre, what kind of film would you like collaborate on?

Deschanel: Screwball comedy.

Gordon-Levitt: Yeah, something fast!

Deschanel: Something snappy. Something funny. Something with some musical elements.

Gordon-Levitt: I think there might be some music. There might be some dance in there. Some songs.

MTV: I also want to talk about some individual accomplishments. "G.I. Joe" was actually massively entertaining.

Gordon-Levitt: I thought so too. I loved it the whole time. I had fun doing it. I got to wear a mask and makeup, and it was a really fun action movie.

MTV: Can you envision doing a second one?

Gordon-Levitt: I don't know. That's certainly not up to me.

MTV: Zooey, you got married this year to Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. Was the wedding everything you hoped it would be? Does it feel different now?

Deschanel: It was amazing. Now it just feels better. Similar but better.

MTV: What can we look forward to from you in 2010? I know you did "Your Highness" with Danny McBride, Natalie Portman and James Franco.

Deschanel: I think it's coming out in September or October. It's totally bonkers. And then I have a new [She & Him] record coming out in the spring. It's official. It's done and being released in the spring. And we're going to go on tour.

Gordon-Levitt: I am She & Him's number one fan. I am possessive about that slot, actually. []

MTV: Joe, you have "Inception" coming up. Having completed the shoot, did it live up to everything you hoped it would? What can I expect?

Gordon-Levitt: Are you a fan of Christopher Nolan, who wrote and directed "The Dark Knight," among other things? This is what happened. Christopher Nolan is one of my favorite artists, and he's a true dignified filmmaker with all the integrity of an indie filmmaker. He started with indie films like "Memento." And then he directed one of the biggest hits of all time. Now he can say, "I'm going to do whatever I want to do and you, Warner Brothers, are going to let me do it." ["Inception"] is an awesome artist who just got to do exactly what he wanted to do, and it's a beautiful thing to see.

mtv.com

 

[papa_levante]

As far as posting the Zooey discography for sunrunner, I'll post the YouTube videos I find.

First, Lotta Love by Neil Young, covered by She & Him. I love Zooey's singing in this song particularly.

 

[Mary-Anne]

amazing cover!!! her voice is so stunning!!

 

[leiwen]

I freakin' love these shoes so much. Can anyone ID them possibly?

they are Chanel

 

[papa_levante]

^ If you look closely, you can barely make it out. I wouldn't have known either way. TY leiwen.

 

[sunrunner]

As far as posting the Zooey discography for sunrunner, I'll post the YouTube videos I find.

First, Lotta Love by Neil Young, covered by She & Him. I love Zooey's singing in this song particularly.

I do adore that song, and you're right her voice sounds amazing. Another one of my favorites is Sweet Darlin.

 

[chicandcool]

Just when I wished she would tweet again, she does!

happy thanksgiving! may I recommend this excellent book on intuition as a delightful holiday read: www.tinyurl.com/LauraDayWidget - zooey d

twitter.com/therealzooeyd

 

[sunrunner]

I've got some pictures of Zooey, and I'm pretty sure that some have not been posted.

zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

 

[papa_levante]

^ A few of them have but no biggie. Still appreciated, honey

 

[sunrunner]

Just when I wished she would tweet again, she does!



twitter.com/therealzooeyd

I just added her to my twitter feeds. She's so cute, and she really does need to post more often.

 

[sunrunner]

^ A few of them have but no biggie. Still appreciated, honey

Aws, I know, but I just had a mass upload so I figured I'd show the adorableness of Zooey again, along with a few that haven't been posted.

 

[papa_levante]

Where's Zooey?
zoeoydeschanel.tumblr.com

Who is this fella?
zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

for sunrunner
zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

 

[sunrunner]

for sunrunner
zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

She's just too precious in that pic, thanks papa_levante! Is it okay to say when I grow up I want to be just like her?

 

[papa_levante]

This is from April 2008 but I had to scrounge around to find it so I could read it... and share it with you, curious kittens too.

What are you up to?
She: Promoting the release of Volume One. Working on a movie called Gigantic and writing music for Volume Two.

What are your current fixations?
She: Bobbie Gentry, Marvin Gaye, pumpkin seeds. [ Seeds?]
Him: The Louvin Brothers.

Why do you live where you do?
She (Santa Monica Because I enjoy defending it to New Yorkers.
Him (Portland, OR Friends, family, peace, quiet.

Name something you consider a mind-altering work of art:
She: Getz/Gilberto
Him: 2001: A Space Odyssey

What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
She: I went to see Anita O’Day, before she passed away, in a small restaurant in L.A. Nobody was paying attention. She was snapping her fingers with her back to the audience. She was fantastic.
Him: Brian Wilson at the Sydney Opera House; obvious reasons.

What have been your career highs and lows?
She: High: I love singing! Any time I get to sing I am happy. I consider it the greatest privilege. Low: there have been times when I haven't gotten to sing as much and it was very sad for me.
Him: I don’t know. Not sure they’ve happened yet.

What’s the meanest thing ever said to you before, during or after a gig?
She: I wouldn't want to honor something like that with a mention in a fancy magazine.
Him: “Wow, that was interesting” and/or “It looked like you guys were having a lot of fun up there.”

What should everyone shut up about?
She: Themselves.
Him: Celebrities, extremists.

What traits do you most like and most dislike about yourself?
She: Like: sincerity. Dislike: too much sincerity.
Him: Like: focus. Dislike: tunnel vision.

What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday?
She: Wake up early. Bake cookies and play piano. Take a walk where I hopefully see lots of cute dogs. Eat spaghetti squash. Watch a documentary. []
Him: Rest. [B)]

What advice should you have taken, but did not?
She: Always bring a book. I don't always bring a book, and then I get stuck with nothing to do.

What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
She: Poor taste or no sense of humor. And no, I think the selection process should be careful enough that the kicking out would not be necessary.

What do you think of when you think of Canada?
She: Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Smarties.
Him: Banff. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

What was the first LP/cassette/CD/eight track you ever bought with your own money?
She: The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night.
Him: The Smiths The Queen Is Dead cassette. []

What was your most memorable day job?
She: When I was about 11 years old my dad paid me 20 dollars to help in the costume department of a commercial he was directing. I had to cover a pair of sneakers in dirt. I can't remember why.
Him: Working at California State Parks and Recreation.

How do you spoil yourself?
She: A New Yorker magazine and a bag of peanuts with shells. I'm a simple girl.
Him: Soy mochas.

If I wasn’t playing music I would be…
She: Relaxing on an island with a tropical drink and pulling the strings that make the world spin.
Him: Doing something outdoors.

What do you fear most?
She: maple syrup on my arms. []
Him: In 2008, smear campaigns against Senator Obama.

What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
She: At the same time? A brand new wool sweater. []

What has been your strangest celebrity encounter?
She: I stepped on Janet Jackson’s toe at a party once...

Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
She: I would like to have dinner with Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and ask them their opinions on various issues and current events. Then I would serve them wine and lots of caffeinated beverages and watch them duke it out.

What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
She: Nothing! She loves music!
Him: Probably raising a big family.

What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
She: "This Will Be Our Year" by the Zombies. []
Him: “Amazing Grace”

exclaim.ca

 

[papa_levante]

The singing actor is often the punch line to a bad joke, but ever since she warmed the hearts of viewers in 2003’s Elf singing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” Zooey Deschanel has been considered one of the silver screen’s brightest voices. Partnering up with indie folkie M. Ward to record a cover of Richard and Linda Thompson’s “When I Get To the Border” for the soundtrack to last year’s The Go-Getter, Zooey found herself in the perfect position to show off her chops.

With an established but not exactly mainstream artist like Matt Ward, Zooey’s first real foray into music (she also moonlights in If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies, a cabaret act with actress pal Samantha Shelton) is aligned nicely with her filmography — which to date is select studio pics (Bridge to Terabithia) interspersed with a strong indie foundation (All the Real Girls), not to mention a forthcoming portrayal of classic rock goddess Janis Joplin in Gospel According to Janis.

As She & Him, Zooey and Matt play off each other to near-perfection. “Her” voice is what AM gold dreams are made of: a comforting, oft goofy personality with a smoky jazz club lilt that’s part Linda Ronstadt, part Karen Carpenter, and all delight. “His” arrangements are the utmost flattering for such a voice: predominantly but not completely breaking from the wistful country/folk template, Ward’s rich smattering of vintage ideals (’60s girl pop, Motown, alt-country, old-timey gospel) accentuate Zooey’s timeless taste. The result is an opulent, personable album called Volume One, a title that gratefully indicates this budding partnership is just beginning.

After taking some time out to answer our Questionnaire, Zooey was nice enough to have a go at these follow-up questions.

How did you first meet Matt “M.” Ward?
We met doing the cover of “When I Get to the Border” for the Go-Getter soundtrack.

What got you two together for that song and what made you decide on that song? And what happened with that film?
The director of the movie, Martin Hynes, picked that song. Matt was doing the soundtrack for the movie and Martin thought it would be a good idea to have me do the duet with Matt for the end credits.
The movie will be out in limited release in June.

After you and Matt collaborated on that tune, was it obvious that you’d put out an album together?
I think that it was obvious we got along and that we jived creatively. We started making the record because I had all of these songs and Matt thought it would be fun to record them properly. Before we knew it we had a record.

When did you begin writing songs for the album? Did you always have an album in mind to release or were these written more for personal pleasure?
They were written over a long period of time. Some of the songs on the record are really recent and some have been sitting around for as long as eight years. I really started writing music because I enjoyed it and I found it relaxing. I didn’t know what to do with it; I was confused about it for years.

It’s a very breezy and timeless sounding record. What kind of musical inspiration were you looking to for She & Him?
Lots of old records. Both Matt and I grew up listening to oldies radio. In the studio we spoke the same language of influences. There are so many I don’t even know where to begin: Les Paul and Mary Ford, Nina Simone [], Emmyloud Harris, Beach Boys, to name a few.

There’s a nice balance of upbeat and soft numbers. Was there any kind of mood you were going for?
We just took it song by song and played each one the best we knew how. There was no grand design.

The album’s titled Volume One. Are we to assume there is another album on the way? Are there any details you can share?
Yes, there will be more, but there’s nothing to share right now.

You’re scheduled to appear as Janis Joplin in her biopic. I see the two of you having completely different voices. Will you be singing? If so, did you have to train your voice to sound like hers?
This project is on hold right now.

Finally, are we gonna see She & Him up here in Canada for some shows? Are you open to touring?
I love Canada! I have spent a lot of time in Vancouver, which is absolutely beautiful, and a little bit of time in Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg. I would visit any time you guys would have me back!

exlaim.ca

 

[sunrunner]

I have some more. Not sure if they've been posted.

zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com

 

[papa_levante]

Ben + Zooey = unfathomable beauty

 

[sunrunner]

Why is she so amazing?

 

[papa_levante]

^ God just likes some people more. Funny how that works. And then you get a thread...