AE: One subtle difference I observed, for example, is going from calling the first album Scissor Sisters, and then the second one is called Ta-Dah , which has a fanfare or announcement quality to it.
JS: I always think that you have to put things out so you can move from them. Our A&R guy from when the first record came out didn't want us to put “Filthy Gorgeous” on it. I was very adamant about having it on (there), because not only do I think it's a nice song, but I knew we'd never write another song like it, and I don't think we will. I don't want to write another song like it because we've already written it.
It's really important to do what you do, and then take a step from it and move on. The one thing I'm absolutely terrified of getting stuck in some kind of rut. People are always wanting to categorize and shoebox what it is you're doing, but I want to defy that. I don't think there is a definition, yet, of this band that properly describes it. I don't know what the definition of this band is and I hope that I don't find out for a very long time.
AE: How would you say that you have personally evolved?
JS: I think I've become quite a bit more of a focused person, just in general. In terms of the things I care about. There's a lot at stake. I love what I do and I love what this band does. Those things are very important to me and I take them very seriously. In that way, maybe I've become a bit more of a workaholic than I ever have been.
AE: As one might expect, dancing continues to play a role in the music of the Scissor Sisters, and in the songs “I Don't Feel Like Dancin'” and “Ooh” – you actually sing about dancing. When it comes to dancing and singing, does one of them play a bigger role in your life or are they given equal billing?
JS: Dancing and singing? I love performing. I dance like crazy on stage. The problem with a lot of these new songs, and the challenge that I am personally facing right now performing them live, is that vocally they're even more challenging than the first record was. “She's My Man” is very hard to sing, “I Don't Feel Like Dancing” is very difficult to sing, and so is “ Land of A Thousand Words.” Especially with “I Don't Feel Like Dancing” and “She's My Man,” when I sing these songs, I can sing the hell out them, but I can't move around a lot, which is driving me crazy. I'm just hoping that once we sing them over and over and over again, that I'm going to be able to use my body more when I'm singing them, because, as of now, that's been a real challenge. I love to move around when I'm singing, but those songs are proving to be a real bitch.
AE: The song “Paul McCartney” is the equivalent of a musical fan letter. What would you want someone to write to you in a fan letter?
JS: I don't know. Fan letters are very sweet, but I would feel kind of undeserving of one in the first place.
AE: That's very humble.
JS: I'm always blown away when I meet a big lover of the band or what not and people are shaking or they're really freaked out, and it makes me feel (laughs)…it makes me wonder what have I done to this person that they're actually scared to approach me or they're really nervous being around me. It's a really weird thing for me. My mom's a Southern lady, she's very good at making everyone around her feel incredibly comfortable. I would hope to do the same.
AE: Of course, you've met Sir Paul, and Kylie introduced you for your Trafalgar Square concert, and Elton John can be heard on “Ta-dah.” But how do you get Gina Gershon to play Jews Harp on “I Can't Decide”?
JS: Oh, my God! God bless her, she's really wonderful! We were both really bombed at a party and struck up a conversation and ended up becoming good friends. She's absolutely a lovely lady. When we started talking, I found out that she plays Jews Harp. I said, “You got to come to our studio and play Jews Harp on this record because it needs it.” And she did! It's a very bizarre thing to see her do it, because she really can play very well. She's also an awesome actress. She's totally an icon.
