In Utero

James Kochalka is a modern-day renaissance man. When he’s not drawing comics exploring the relationships between elves and bunnies and frogs, or singing playful rock songs about Ozzy Osbourne, Justin Timberlake or his own penis (with his band James Kochalka Superstar), he’s busy making babies with his wife, Amy. With the sequel to his first critically acclaimed child, three-year-old Eli, currently in production, Kochalka took a moment to discuss his baby making skills and how they affect his distinctive approach to off-the-cuff, profiency-defying, three-minute pop songs.

HEATER: First of all, congratulations on making another baby. Can you briefly explain for the readers at home, who are unfamiliar with the process of making babies, exactly how babies are made?

KOCHALKA: If life is a journey, I think the journey begins when the parents first start to consider the idea of a baby. Once they start to consider the idea, the idea grows and grows until it eventually manifests itself in a living embryo. So … if you don’t want to have a baby, whatever you do, try not to think about babies ever, ever, ever.

A lot of people have complained of the difficulty in making babies, and yet you’ve managed to make two, despite your hectic schedule drawing comics and making music. What tips can you pass along to aspiring baby makers?

Making babies is super easy for me! This time we weren’t even trying. In fact, Amy was on the pill. It was a little too easy, I’d say. 

However, if you want to have a baby but it’s not working out? Don’t stress about it. Enjoy what you have. Maybe drink a little alcohol.

If you had to choose between making art, music or babies for the rest of your life, which would you settle on?

I’m going to make lots and lots of albums and books—and have lots and lots of sex. Which of my works will be remembered a hundred years from now? Will it be one of my books? One of my albums? One of my babies? There’s no way to guess.

Do you think that they should add a category to the Ignatz awards, a comic industry award, for making babies?

That would be great. I could use more Ignatz awards. I only have four.

Do you think the government should fund baby making, or at least better incorporate baby making into the public school system?

I already had sex with a public school teacher, and we have successfully made one baby and are growing another. So, I’m doing my part. A little government funding would sure be awesome, though.

Do you find babies to be efficient vessels for making art and music?

Oh yeah. When they get a little older they start writing your songs and drawing your comics for you. It’s pretty cool.

Kochalka’s latest record, Spread Your Evil Wings and Fly, is out now thanks to a fan-led petition, which freed it from record label limbo. His new untitled baby drops in May, assuming doctors can get enough signatures.

Oct. 20. Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A),
212-260-4700; 8:30, $10.