By Louis Bedigian
GameZone, February 5, 2004
Liz Phair, a recording artist from Winnetka, IL, has been pumping out great tunes since 1993. Her first release, Exile in Guyville, is considered to be one of the 200 essential albums by Rolling Stone. She’s toured the hugely popular Lilith Fair with Sarah Mclachlan. Her latest hit single, “Why Can’t I”, has been heard all over TV, radio, and even in theaters, thanks to the trailer for Win a Date With Tad Hamilton. Most recently Liz performed on the show On-Air with Ryan Seacrest.
If that wasn’t prolific enough for you, then let me tell you about Liz’s connection to the gaming industry. Her newest record features a song called “Rock Me”, and in it Liz says that she, among other things, “Wants to play Xbox on your floor.” She’s referring to a guy who’s nine years her junior.
The song is great, as is “Extraordinary”, which you can check out on her Web site: http://www.lizphair.com/
Wondering if she had an obsession with Xbox or just games in general, GameZone Online caught up with Liz to talk about the new song, her writing preferences, and more.
You say you want to play Xbox in the song “Rock Me”. Tell us about that. What inspired the song?
(Laughs) This is kind of like highlighting some of the stupid stuff guys do that you have to kind of do so you can hang out with them. Like “No, no, I wanna play Xbox with you, really!”
So it’s a sarcastic song?
Not really. I mean girls are always doing stuff just so they can hang out with guys. [Stuff] that they don’t really like.
So you’re not really a fan of video games at all?
Actually I am. I like playing Xbox a lot, I play it with my son. We do Lord of the Rings, that’s my favorite right now.
What other games are you into?
Lord of the Rings, Crash – I like that racing game where you deliver pizzas in the streets of Paris* (* – Project Gotham Racing 2). I think it’s a new one. I played it when I did an Xbox print ad. I don’t have it, but I played it all day and it was really fun.
Where will the ad be seen?
Just magazines, I’m not sure which kind. Maybe, you know, Wired or something.
Will it appear on your Web site?
Only if someone posts it.
What was the first game you ever played?
Xbox game?
Any game.
Well, it’s funny, ’cause our keyboard player just brought on board the bus these old, old, old, old Atari games, which I forgot about, what is it – Pong or Ping or something? And Asteroids. Those are definitely the first games I’ve ever played.
What things are inspiring to you? What things make you pick up a pen and start writing a song?
Well, I never pick up a pen when I’m writing song I always pick up a guitar or a piano. Usually some kind of keyed up emotional state, like I’m frustrated about something, then I’ll pick up a guitar. Or if I’m just sad – when I’ve got something to say and there’s no one to say it to – that’s when I pick up an instrument.
Are there any topics that you choose not to write about because they’re just too personal?
No. I try to write as personally as I can. Now I’m not necessarily doing a good job of that all the time, ’cause sometimes it takes someone else’s perspective to make you realize things about yourself. That’s why I like collaborating, ’cause sometimes when I’m writing with someone else, they’ll be able to point out things or inconsistencies or contradictions. Like, “Well, it sounds like what you’re really trying to say is…” And then you’ll be really embarrassed and self-conscious and be like, “God, I didn’t see that.”
Who would your dream collaboration be? Who would you love to work with more than any other artist?
Well, it’s not like my dream collaboration, but I would definitely like to try and write songs with that New Radicals guy.
Gregg Alexander?
I think so. Is he the lead singer?
Yes.
That would be him.
He’s a very good writer.
Yeah, I think so too.
Where do you feel most comfortable writing music?
Well, I always feel better when there’s nobody else around. So I have to make sure the house is empty one way or another.
Do you write music on the road or anywhere else?
I do. I shut all the doors and go in the back of the bus.
Have you thought about doing a song for a video game?
No I never have. I bet that would be lucrative.
A lot of artists have done it and it’s been a great thing for them.
Yeah, I never thought of it till you said that but that’s a good idea.
Thank you for your time Liz.
Featured Image: Liz Phair at 1998’s Lilith Fair. (Photo: Steve Eichner/Getty Images)
