When actress-turned-rocker Juliette Lewis formed her band Juliette and the Licks five years ago, it was as an attempt to bare her soul and have fun exploring music after so many years of focusing on film. But earlier this spring, Lewis announced on her MySpace page the Licks are no more, and that she’ll be going it solo for her upcoming album, Terra Incognita. After talking to FILTER about the most influential films and albums in her life, Lewis took some time to discuss her new musical direction and what listeners can expect on her debut solo record, due out in September.

Earlier this spring, you announced the end of Juliette Lewis and the Licks and a new start as simply “Juliette Lewis.” What prompted the switch?

When I got the Licks off the ground five years ago, I allowed myself to not over-think music, to not be precious, but spit out what I was feeling at the time. The music was very no-nonsense and guitar-driven. And then I stopped and asked myself, “Am I ready to be more revealing, and to discover melody?” I wanted to write songs that were more dynamic and didn’t hang on guitar riffs all the time. It’s an evolution.

I come from a place of discontentment and hunger as an artist, so I’m rarely satisfied. Also, I’m an independent artist. I’m not a radio artist, I’m not on a major label, and all the odds are stacked against me anyway. So I’ve got nothing to lose if I explore my own musical hunger and journey.

What can listeners expect on this record, versus your past work? Where have you taken your style?

Well, it’s not some vast departure of the groove and rock and roll I’ve brought to the equation before. That’s all there, and it’s definitely in our live show, but the sound and the groove has expanded. There’s more drama. I also finally wrote a blues song, which I’ve always wanted to write. I guess you could expect more peaks and valleys, and a really killer band. And some sparkly pants here and there.

You’re starting a tour in August with The Pretenders and Cat Power. How did you get hooked up into that lineup?

How amazing is that? I am so excited and beside myself. You submit yourself as an opener and the band checks it out and then they approve you. It was a real organic thing. I don’t know either of those artists personally, and I just couldn’t be happier. I think it’s going to be a killer lineup, and the type where people should come out and be ready for a whole night’s experience. This is a lineup you want to come real early for…and then you can see my band. [Laughs]

Maybe this isn’t a fair question to ask, but what do you find yourself more passionate about – movies or music?

Anything I’m doing at the time, I’m willing to shed my skin for. So if I’m in a movie, I want to give the most in that moment. It’s about total surrender for me, making things as honest as possible. When I’m writing and performing live, it’s the same way. But I had done movies for 15 years and because I wasn’t exploring the passion of songwriting and performing live, it was building in me like a volcano. So now that I’ve done music for a good five years, I can do movies with relish and a new love. Maybe what’s more personal is the music because I have a part in everything: the merch design, the track listings, the songwriting, the live shows. So it’s all an extension of me. It’s a different experience.

For more info on Lewis’ film and music endeavors, check out her MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/juliettelewis

Source: www.filter-mag.com