ROCK/POP Q&A

After I wrote about her sexy, sinewy voice, her elegant piano and those empowered, dramatic Joni/Fiona-like songs for years, Julia Othmer had little to show for it save a ribaldly enchanting live show and 2002's Authorized Bootleg: Live at Tin Angel. After that the Philly singer-songwriter disappeared, only to pop back up in Hollywood with her first proper release, Oasis Motel -- replete with haunted, taunting-temptress Southern California songs like "Canyons" and "Pull Me Back." So where you at, Othmer?

City Paper: After Bootleg, you got buzz. Then boom—you go to Brazil?

Julia Othmer: Disappeared sounds so Marlene Dietrich. I did leave kind of abruptly and I'm sorry. There was a lot of personal transition, last-minute cancellations, dangerous liaisons.

CP: Drama!

JO: I moved to West Hollywood, which was more about going where I could get more work and less about leaving Philadelphia. I used to think L.A. was soulless. But being there in the company of the producer and musicians who worked on the album blew my mind. These guys'd toured with all kinds of groups in all kinds of situations and were making a great living doing what they love. After Oasis, they offered me session and songwriting work, a lot of group projects, which was incredibly satisfying. You get your paycheck and get to experiment; writing for pop-singing teens, Middle Eastern belly dancers, house DJs. Plus, there's something to be said about 80-degree winters and the beach, seasons being determined by the winds and wildfires, running into Pink and Tracy Guns at the adult toy shop, and chatting with Ron Jeremy about classical music.

CP: Which reminds me: About this rumor concerning you and Billy Bob Thornton …

JO: Billy and I've spent time together. He's a very thoughtful man, a dynamic artist, and knows a ton about music, like who played triangle on some obscure album from the 1970s.

CP: On this record, you're not half as depressing—or depressed—as so many of the piano-pounding songwriter girls: Has that hurt you from getting more notoriety faster? Do you think you should start living a weirder life?

JO: I welcome weird. Maybe I should play wearing tit tassels or an elephant suit with face paint. Maybe I should give you more details about Billy. You want his number?

CP: I have it.

JO: Besides, it's a myth someone has to be broke or broken to write good music. It's harder to work when you're really depressed. Now … manic depression is much more productive.

CP: What does it say about you that you'd got all these slick players aboard? Don't be modest.

JO: That you can get great players if they think you are hot. Or at least you can get them for the first gig. After that they stick around 'cause of the music.

CP: That's not modest.

JO: Besides, once I moved, I couldn't afford to bring my band from Philly [Steve Demarest, Hoagy Wing, Adam Winokur] but I wanted kick-ass players. That's the lesson of some tasty, well-placed lipstick … and, oh yeah, I serviced all of them. No. I shouldn't even joke. My first industry meeting in L.A. and the guy seriously asked if I'd blown anyone to get into his office. That's L.A. for you.

CP: Finish this phrase: If one more muthafucka tells me I sound like Tori Amos, I'll …

JO: Make them buy me my next drink.

Julia Othmer plays a CD release show with Ryan Star, Sun., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m., $15, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.