Holiday Gifts from the Queen of the Hi-Desert!
“Leave it to Jesika von Rabbit to be subversive for the holidays. Her “re-imagined” version of Elvis’s 1957 classic, “Blue Christmas,” goes deep indigo in ways the King could have never dreamt. The song’s video, Directed by Jessica Janos, the video features all sorts of luminaries from von Rabbit’s circle of talented weirdos, (among them comedian Larry CopCar, bandmate Lee Joseph, author and curator Paul Koudounaris and others) who swirl about her cerulean fever dream about being crushingly solo for Christmas once again.” — Kevin Bronson / Buzzbands L.A.
This dark and moody interpretation of “Blue Christmas” was entirely performed, recorded, and mixed by Jesika Von Rabbit at The Rabbit Ranch in Joshua Tree, CA.
Jesika von Rabbit grew up with cold Wisconsin winters and an icy Christmas. As a midwesterner transplanted to the Southern California desert of Joshua Tree, von Rabbit was inspired to write “California Christmas” contrasting snowy winter scenes with a warm, California setting, as described in its lyrics depicting high temperatures, people in shorts and sunglasses, and a beach visit!
“California Christmas” was written and recorded when von Rabbit was fronting her former band Gram Rabbit, a trailblazing psychedelic rock and electro pop group who was recognized for their eclectic sound and live performances which helped put Joshua Tree on the musical map. The song’s video was directed and shot by Kate McCabe, with animation by Dan Delboy, and features her former Gram Rabbit bandmate Todd Rutherford.
“Jesika Von Rabbit is one of Los Angeles’ great musical one-offs. She’s simultaneously pop and art, accessible and avant-garde. She’s a mass of contradictions in the most glorious way and her influences, which touch on everything from ’80s MTV pop to ’70s tie-dye psychedelia, betray that very thing.
In the live environment, she excels. She’s part Berlin chanteuse, with dabs of Nico, and part performance artist. She’s also a force of nature, and a local gem.” — Brett Callwood, LA Weekly
“Jesika von Rabbit has been identified with the high desert music scene since before it was a scene.” — The Desert Sun
“Her voice is like a doll that throws a punch, the vibe electric. She’s the witch who lures you into a candy house, the siren who pulls you close — even though you know better. Surrounded by go-go dancers, illuminated by projected images both beautiful and strange, a Jesika von Rabbit concert is the equivalent of a dance party during the apocalypse. But with more bunny ears.” — Magie Downs, Palm Springs Life
“She is drop-dead gorgeous and has an absolutely incredible voice. But von Rabbit is more than a pretty chick singer. She is an innovative creator and expressionist as well as one hell of an entertainer… Her show is brilliantly nonsensical; a sonic and visual spectacle that is unlike any other and you cannot take your eyes away. She is an artist that you just have to keep coming back to see because you evolve every time you do.” — Coachella Valley Weekly
“Complex, sexy, and with just the right amount of quirk, ‘Bunnywood Babylon’ comes across as grand, dazzling, and very colourful.”— Aaron Willschick/V13 Media
“Danceable, commercial, and first-to-last-catchy…deliciously sweet and pretty poisons indicates von Rabbit rapidly Wonkafying, cybernizing, and de-rusticating. She may well have more reinventions in her than David Bowie.”— Ron Garmon, L.A. Record
Formerly the frontwoman and chief songwriter of the trailblazing and iconic Joshua Tree act Gram Rabbit, Jesika von Rabbit has released two critically lauded solo albums, Journey Mitchell and Dessert Rock. Her third album, Bunnywood Babylon released worldwide on June 13, 2025 (Dionysus Records).
Jesika von Rabbit recently won “Best Female Vocalist” and “Best Song” at the Joshua Tree Voice Music Award Show. This is in addition to “Best Female Performer” multiple years in-a-row at the Coachella Valley Weekly Awards.
Jesika von Rabbit has toured with the Eagles of Death Metal, and has performed at the Desert Daze festival, Camper van Beethoven’s Campout festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Stoned and Dusted festival, Tiki Oasis, The Casbah stage at the Adams Ave Street Fair in San Diego, as well as San Francisco, Portland, and Palm Springs Pride. She has shared stages with acts as diverse as Wanda Jackson, Cat Power, The Melvins, The Crystal Method, and Sister Sledge.
Jesika von Rabbit’s original compositions have been licensed to Fox’s The Masked Singer for a commercial spot, CSI, NBC’s Life, FX’s Better Things, The Real World, Sons of Anarchy, Crash, Hit & Miss, Crazy Stupid Love and War Inc., Grace and Frankie, a commercial spot for Fruit of the Loom which aired during the 2012 Summer Olympics, and Morgan Freeman’s film 57 Seconds.
Dubbed “The Queen of the Hi-Desert,” JESIKA VON RABBIT is the torchbearer of the ever-vibrant Joshua Tree/Hi-Desert music scene.
Visit Jesika von Rabbit online:
Website: https://www.jesikavonrabbit.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesikavonrabbitmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesikavonrabbit/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jesikavonrabbit
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9poN3qsqCJThTxWdEyio_A
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/228m37gn65MbaI86rMIEfM?si=AtfTVAUdSM2kUDBMUUAQ_g
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