Juliette Lewis Plays Virtual DJ in Grand Theft Auto IV

Juliette Lewis is a jack of all trades (or is it a jill of all trades if you're a lady?). She's a successful actress, she fronts the fierce rock band Juliette and the Licks, and now that she's dominated the physical world, she's taken on the virtual one. In the recently-released video game phenomenon that is Grand Theft Auto IV, Juliette provides the voice of "Juliette," the host of the GTA radio station Radio Broker. We asked her a few questions about her foray into the virtual realm and her various upcoming projects.

How did you initially team up with Rockstar Games?
Rockstar initially approached me about a re-mixed version of one of my songs for the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack. After we met and talked about the project, they thought I would make a great in-game DJ.

How were the songs on the set-list chosen?
Although I didn’t choose the songs, as DJ Juliette Lewis of the alternative rock station Radio Broker, I introduce tracks including The Boggs’ “Arm in Arm,” LCD Soundsystem’s “Get Innocuous!” and The Rapture’s “No Sex for Ben.” I actually worked on the station while I was in the middle of a tour.

What is your favorite song on your track list?
David Gilmour Girls did a re-mix of a Juliette and The Licks song “Inside the Cage.” He moved my vocals to be off-time with the base, which makes it more dreamy and abstract.

Are there any songs you're really digging now that you wish were on the track list?
I've been listening to a lot of African drumming lately. I'm percussion crazy at the moment and busy picking up sounds for my next album. Also, I just bought Devo's Greatest Hits, The Stranglers and the new Joan as Police Woman CD. She's an amazing vocalist and songwriter.

What is your favorite real-life radio station and why?
Satellite radio is pretty amazing. You can hear all kinds of different genres. Like, I discovered a new favorite song, “Foolish Fool” by Shirley Warwick, because I was listening to some satellite station that was playing amazing '60s soul music.

Is there any Juliette and the Licks news that you can share with us?
I am in the process of writing and soaking up sounds and inspirations for our next record. I want to make a big leap in growth from the last record, “Four on the Floor,” and break out of guitar driven muscle rock. Most importantly, I want to take my time because I have been on tour for the last two years. We will be on a break until the next record is finished next year with the exception of one more tour during October and November with Eagles of Death Metal.

For any tour and music updates people can always check our myspace page: myspace.com/julietteandthelicks.

You're upcoming movie Whip It! looks amaaaaaazing. What's your part in that film and when can we see it?
The film is about Roller Derby girls, among other things. So, I've been on skates for 10-15 hours a day while filming. Drew Barrymore is directing the film and she’s a natural with great vision. Ellen Page is in the film as well and I play her nemesis. It’s been pretty amazing.