How did the tour with Interpol come about?
The combo seems like oil & water. You really think so? I am really paranoid about how influential Pitchfork is right now. They said that Q & Not U touring with Interpol was like Kenny Loggins going on tour with NWA or something, and now everyone is saying that we’re a really odd match. I don’t think touring with Interpol is that strange. We’re both independent rock bands. There are guitars and amps and drums. I think they have good taste in music and I was flattered when they invited us to travel with them. Do politics and politically-motivated lyrics belong in music? Or does it become more of a soapbox mentality when politics appear as lyrics? Yes and yes. Obviously, it applies differently to different artists. I’ve heard some truly inspiring political music of late, and some contrived bullshit as well. It’s like asking if people if they should write love songs. There are gonna be some Aaliyah songs that break my heart and there are gonna be some Boyz II Men songs that I can’t hang wi
