Q: What's in your CD player right now?

A: Right now - Jonny Hartman and John Coltrane; Nick Drake, Way to Blue; Tom Waits, Closing Time and early Years Vol. 2; Joni Mitchell, Blue; Billy Bragg and Wilco, Mermaid Avenue; Ben Fold Five, Naked Baby Photos; Bob Dylan, The Essential Bob Dylan and Blonde on Blonde; Christine Lavin, Getting in Touch with my Inner Bitch; Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, Soundtrack; Charles Mingus, Mingus Ah Um; A Stan Getz cd I can't remember the name of. To name a few, just a few, seriously. Forgive me, I love that question.

Q: How do you come across new music?

A: Usually I find new music from little obscure radio stations (college radio is usually best), some of my friends, the guy at the local CD store, my running list of essential jazz albums that Dr. Hile keeps adding too (it's impossible) and Napster (mmm...Napster...)

Q: What advice would you give to any young person who wants to write songs and make music?

A: Don't take advice from anyone but Jack Kerouac. "Do what you want."

Q: If someone asked you to name 5 roles that you proudly play in your life, you would say:

A: I've given this a lot of thought. And I've decided that I prefer to not be so aware of my roles. I'd rather just think about books, and write some songs if I can, and love a lot, and if it's not so much trouble I'd like to just lie about the floor and drink cranberry juice without wearing shoes.