Folk Futurist: Jonathan Coulton

Jonathan Coulton

Profession: Singer/Songwriter

Claim to Eccentricity: Released 52 folk-rock songs in 52 weeks.

When Jonathan Coulton quit his job as a computer programmer and started posting quirky compositions on jonathancoulton.com, he didn't just gain a cult following in the hundreds of thousands—he sparked a cottage industry. Fans regularly send him remixes of his songs (which cover everything from Tom Cruise to Ikea to zombies), videos, and cartoon versions of his characters. One ardent admirer even created a coloring book based on Coulton's oeuvre. He hit his stride in 2005, when he embarked on "Thing a Week": Over the next year he wrote, recorded, and released 52 songs, all from his home in Brooklyn. Whether they're about being excited for an upcoming pizza party or the despair of a madman who's fallen for a woman, Coulton's songs hit home with musical sophistication and heartfelt sincerity.

MH: Why did you quit your job?

JC: I realized I was not doing what I wanted to do, not using the talents that I wanted to use. My daughter was born, and it suddenly seemed incredibly dishonest. I wanted to set a good example for her and it became much more important to be true to myself. And I wanted to spend more time at home.

Describe your "forced march" approach to creativity.

The idea was to keep myself busy and pretend that it was my job to write songs, and also I thought a song-a-week had a stunt appeal that would attract a little attention. At first it was really fun and exciting and easy, but after about four songs I sort of ran out of ideas.

There were weeks when I was forced to finish an idea I really hated, and a lot of the time those songs ended up being my favorites. That was rewarding.

Have your fans' reactions changed how you work?

It hasn't changed my output but it's changed the final product. I have a song called "Skullcrusher Mountain" about an evil genius who imprisons a beautiful woman who wanders into his lair. He's in love with her but he can't express himself very well because he's a monster. That's really struck a chord with a lot of people—many have made videos and drawn pictures. I really like the idea that when I write and record a song, it's not finished. It still has room to grow and be interpreted in different ways and become something larger than what I intended it to be.

You performed a concert in an online game, Second Life, using a body double. What's it like having a virtual likeness?

It's great. The avatar is much fitter and better looking than I am. It's kind of a sexy-looking avatar if I do say so myself. I don't spend much time in Second Life but I've visited some of the casinos and S&M stores and rented airplanes there.

You are a "contributing troubadour" at Popular Science magazine. Where else would you like to hold that title?

You know what would be really fun? To be a troubadour for the local news in some small town. Every day I would write a little song about some human-interest story.

Your songs are zany but touching.

I'm always trying to treat funny situations very seriously. So when I wrote "Skullcrusher Mountain," I intended for it to be a funny song, but I also tried to feel sympathy for this monstrous character. So the headline is "Evil Geniuses Need Love Too." And while that may be a funny bumper sticker, it's also a sad fact.

Do you see yourself as a tragicomic hero in life?

I think I must. I do find myself cracking jokes in my head about even the worst situations. Maybe that's a coping mechanism.

Your song about your daughter [the chorus goes, "you ruined everything/in the nicest way"] isn't jokey.

When you have a baby, nobody really prepares you for the fact that you really need to spend time mourning the end of your old life. Of course that feeling doesn't last for long. I hate that it's such a cliche, but it's hard to avoid saying it: Having kids is truly a wonderful experience. And one of the greatest things about it is that it forces you to change in a thousand tiny ways that make your life better. It can feel quite catastrophic in the beginning, but I guess sometimes growth feels that way.

How would your wife describe your personality?

She would probably say that I'm a type-A personality masquerading as a type-B. I play the role of a laid-back guy who doesn't worry about stuff, but I'm secretly freaking out about things. I'm not sure whether my fascination with monkeys and robots would come up; I generally keep that stuff in the studio.