"Jump Tomorrow," IFC Films, 2001

In many ways "Rachel Getting Married" plays like a window into a better future of human relationships, at least given the reality of the average American experience. A few days ago U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder made a controversial comment about the cowardice of dealing with race issues in this country, but I think what he said after is more noteworthy: "...if we are to make progress in this area we must feel comfortable enough with one another, and tolerant enough of each other, to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us." What do you think? Can music and film successfully engage this directly or must it happen on a more personal, individual level?

The fact that that statement was so controversial is a good sign of how true it is in many, many, cases. The fact that almost everything else about that speech (which in my eyes, was a very clear, honest and sensible piece of oratory) was ignored by most popular media in favor of a fear-generating pull-quote is another huge sign, and a good example of how inefficient media can be, depending on what you want out of it.

I think that music and art and film, at their best, can connect with something that is eternal in human beings, that might not have so many labels on it, something that's ultimately universal and that may just be a feeling. Regarding race or gender or sexuality, one of the great things about art and music is that they can provide people with very little else in common with a similar entry point for discussion, but the discussions still need to happen for life to get more interesting. I'm all for awkward, frank, sometimes painful conversations about things that give everyone a better perspective on who they are in the here and now, and how they want to proceed from there.

You've appeared in a few films but a Jonathan Demme picture is a high-profile leap, what was it like taking it? And are there more to come or is your focus back on music?

It was 100% great. Great to meet one of my favorite directors and have the chance to see how he worked. Great to meet people you have something approaching complete reverence for, like Anna Deavere Smith and Bill Irwin. I would love to do more whenever the opportunity presents itself. Right now though, I'm working on a few visual things for TV on the Radio, video stuff, and a bunch of drawings/comics for a book. Also, we're gonna be on tour until August or something starting this April.

Sidney was a real catch. I think some ladies fainted in the theater when you sang that Neil Young song to Rosemarie DeWitt. You getting propositioned every day or what?

Uh... no. Not to my knowledge, no.

[Additional photo: "Rachel Getting Married," Sony Pictures Classics, 2008]

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