Juliette & The Licks, Finger Lickin’ Good

Actress-turned rocker Juliette Lewis talks to Music Matters’ Jen Hilbert about life in a band, winning over her critics, and what inspired her to go from movie star to rock star in the first place.

(PRWEB) August 29, 2005

Actress-turned rocker Juliette Lewis talks to Music Matters’ Jen Hilbert about life in a band, winning over her critics, and what inspired her to go from movie star to rock star in the first place.

Lewis’ band, named Juliette & The Licks, is promoting their new release Speaking My Language. Garnering comparisons to Iggy & The Stooges, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith, and Blondie, The Licks took their maiden touring voyage on last year’s Warped Tour.

Lewis recognizes that the typical “self aggrandizing record store clerks and music junkie types” will be tough on an actress-turned singer but a few lame comparisons to David Hasselhoff do not seem to bother her. Instead she sees her celebrity status as “a double-edged sword.” Lewis says it is a small price to pay for the huge amount of positive press the band gets from her movie fame.

“What I get in rock ‘n’ roll that I don’t get in movies is that connection with people. With music it’s instantaneous, and just to watch people light up, it’s really amazing. I love that connection,” says Lewis who has a Mick Jagger-like swagger on stage.

She says life in a band can be grueling, but she’s found it extremely satisfying to grow close to the other members who include Paul III, Jason Morris, Kemble Walters, and Todd Morse. Jen Hilbert finds out that Lewis is ready to pay her dues in order to make her rock ‘n’ roll fantasy a reality.

MusicMatters Magazine is a monthly, four color, glossy publication dedicated to music, art and culture in Southern California. 10,000 copies are distributed for free each month at over 500 key points, such as record store, venues and music related retailers throughout LA, Orange County and San Diego.

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