Juliette Lewis: Rock and roll star!
SheKnows: Speaking of your voice, obviously you are out there rocking and rolling, and I know sometimes for someone who is in your line of work, it’s hard to be taken seriously tackling a different genre within the entertainment industry. For you, it’s such a natural fit. Was it a struggle for you to get that music career going?
Juliette Lewis: I think all artistic endeavors are like climbing a mountain. It’s just the nature of art and commerce. My intention, when I started music, was to make several records and to tour the world. Whether that would happen or not, I had no idea. I started by doing a really exciting live show. I know my own taste in music — that’s all it is, you’re finding people who have a similar taste and dig your vibe. For me, it’s really about connection and energy and a great drummer, bass player, guitarist. Now, I really feel I’m evolving as a songwriter. When I first came out, it was all about my live show. I did know I would be judged ten times harder. But, I know it’s hard to argue with a really incredible live show. Then, I gained a reputation for having a fun live show and that’s what got me on festivals like Lollapalooza and abroad I played everything you can imagine with bands like The Killers and Bjork, Queens of the Stone Age, MIA. It didn’t start out that way, I had to cut my teeth. It’s been pretty rewarding. But out of the gate, yeah, it was stress to the max. It was stress that I put on myself. It’s always been about finding my tribe, my pixie freaks and misfits.
SheKnows: You mentioned these bands that you have played festivals with, even though you are a movie star, when you’re opposite the likes of The Killers and MIA, you must still have to pinch yourself as a musician.
Juliette Lewis: I say that all the time! It’s so funny to start a career at age 30. None of it is taken for granted. When I was on the side of the stage watching The Who, my dad introduced me to The Who, it was my little rock and roll dream that brought me to the side of that stage. I was playing on the same stage as The Who in a festival in some far-away land. All that stuff, it’s confounding, profound and amazing. I opened for Muse and I just soaked it in. I’m just a music lover. My connection to music is spiritual. It’s on a higher plane. But, also drama lives within that. Even when I’m making movies, I’m always listening to music to tap into the emotional life of a character. It’s a visceral reaction.
Juliette Lewis on her favorite films
SheKnows: Of all the movies you’ve made, are there one or two that are especially endearing to you?
Juliette Lewis: There’s a few. The Other Sister was probably the most profound and challenging part because she was high functioning mentally challenged, which is almost harder to play. It was also a lead, and the audience would have to identify with my journey, my struggle, but at the same time I have to be true to this character. In all roles, there are pitfalls and cliches you could fall into. I felt I tapped into the heart and soul of this person. Garry Marshall is such a wonderful, incredible director to work with. That movie became a big rental [laughs], so I still get really sweet comments in airports and things. I cannot pick only one because Cape Fear is where I got my wings. Working with Martin Scorsese, he validated my instincts and told me what I’m doing is something to nurture. Again, he’s an incredible director. Some people run off of enthusiasm and encouragement and he was one of them.
SheKnows: You’ve had quite a few of those directors come across your career including Oliver Stone (Natural Born Killers).
Juliette Lewis: That’s the other one! Natural Born Killers was like my boot camp. I love that. He was encouraging of improvisation. He just loves you to be creative. He is unstifling.
Juliette Lewis live!
Check out Juliette Lewis in her newest role as rock and roll queen!
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