To put it simply: Justine and Kerris Dorsey are rad. If you don’t know them yet, you will soon. We first saw Kerris as Brad Pitt’s daughter in Moneyball, and now she’s one of the stars of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Her older sister, Justine, is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter with a collection of YouTube covers that would impress even the snobbiest coffee-shop hipster.
Together, they wrote and recorded “Best Worst Day Ever” which you’ll hear over the Alexander credits and on the official soundtrack. We sat down with them to talk about the song and their adorable sisterly relationship. (They’re real deal best friends, in case you’re wondering.) We even got them to take some cute selfies along the way:
Kerris, the first time we ever heard you sing was at the end of Moneyball. Was that the first time you got your voice out there, or were we just late to the game?
Kerris: Ya! I sang in other projects too, but this was the first time they put it on a soundtrack and released it on iTunes. That was probably my first entryway into putting music out there professionally.
Justine, we were all over your YouTube channel today checking out your covers. It seems like you’re really into indie music.
Justine: Kerris and I have the exact same taste in music. I use YouTube as a way to pay homage to my favorite bands. One person had written on my Alt-J cover, “The original is better.” And I was like, “Of course it’s better! It’s supposed to be better. I’m just showing appreciation.”
It’s probably a sign that you’re getting big if people are leaving not-so-nice comments.
Justine: Ya! That one ended up getting a lot of views on it. It’s a cool song, the “I’m a female rebel” line in it is so empowering.
Tell us a little bit about your sisterly relationship.
Kerris: She’s my best friend. We love to play music together, obviously. Go to concerts together. Watch movies.
Justine: My favorite thing is when we drive together and listen to music. That’s the best.
Kerris: It’s nice to have a built-in person who lives next door to you, literally.
It seems like the story in the “Best Worst Day Ever” music video is based on your real experience of getting a call to write a song, and only having a few days to do it.
Kerris: Miguel (the director) called me and asked if I would like to write a song for Alexander. I was so excited; I couldn’t even believe that he had to ask. I would do it in a heartbeat! But the video is obviously very cut down.
Justine: And we didn’t really have a tea party in our backyard.
Kerris: But ya, it’s similar to what happened.
Where did you get your inspiration?
Kerris: First off all, we drew inspiration from the movie. I know the specific songs that I listen to when I’m having a bad day and everything seems to go wrong. Sometimes they’re sugary pop, sometimes they’re rock. We knew we wanted to write a song that was like that.
What are the songs you listen to when you’re having a bad day?
Kerris: “Heart of Glass” by Blondie.
Justine: I listen to Arcade Fire, but then on the other hand, I love Taylor Swift songs.
Kerris: For the past two days, I’ve just been replaying “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”
Justine: And Haim! It’s a perfect pop album. It’s so good. And it just makes you dance.
Kerris: And Beyonce.
Does your family have anything in common with the family in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?
Kerris: Our parents are really similar to the parents in the movie because our dad is completely the optimist and our mom is more realistic about things, so they sort of bring out the best in each other and complement each other.
Justine: There is a possibility that one day our dad will be wearing a pirate blouse in a sushi restaurant. That is very probable.
What’s coming up next for each of you?
Justine: I am recording new stuff and I have five singles and that are going to be released. Next year, I’m going to start on my full album.
Kerris: I’m actually going to start to record an EP. I just feel like it’s good to have stuff out there. I’m going to do school for the next couple months and then I start season two of a show that I’m on.
Tell us some things we may not know about the two of you.
Kerris: Justine asks questions and actually wants to know the answer. I just feel like there’s a lack of that. She’s really present as a person.
Justine: This is so cheesy, but Kerris is just the kindest person. Also, she loves Milk Duds. That’s another fact.
Don’t miss Kerris’ performance in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, in theaters October 10!
