30 Seconds To Mars recently stopped off in Dublin as part of their world tour for new album 'This Is War'. Linda McGee chatted to lead singer Jared Leto about touring with his brother, balancing his acting and music careers, getting an "ass-kicking" and why he never looks back (sorry ladies, no reminiscing about his days as Jordan Catalano in 'My So Called Life'!).
Linda McGee: How has touring the new album 'This Is War' been so far?
Jared Leto: It's been wonderful. We're five shows deep and it's been the tour of a lifetime. It's great.
LM: When you release new material are you always itching to go on tour with it and feel firsthand the crowd reaction to the songs?
JL: Yes, it's the celebration part of the process. It really is. It's the most fun, it's the most visceral, it's the most rewarding because you're giving away every night, you know. It's not so much about what you get. It's about what you give away.
LM: In terms of the creative process, what type of headspace do you like to get in to? Do you open yourself up to lots of different influences or do you lock yourself away?
JL: I do lock myself away a bit. I'm influenced a lot by books, by paintings, by artists. I don't listen to a lot of music while I'm working just because I'm making music all day, the last thing we kinda want to do is listen to music. So, we had an amazing time making this record. It took about two years. We were in a studio carved into the side of a house in Hollywood Hills and we had our quintessential California West-Coast experience making a rock album.
LM: In terms of experimentation, do you like to try something different every time you approach new work?
JL: I do. I enjoy doing things that haven't been done too many times before. That's exciting. To walk upon new earth, so to speak. It's just taking the road less travelled. I like it.
LM: Fans will obviously know you from your acting work as well as your music, but in terms of career decisions, will you only take on an acting project if it doesn't interfere with what you're doing musically?
JL: Yeah, I tend to spend my time focusing on what's in front of me, what is the priority, and that's seemed to serve me well so far.
LM: It must be a challenge though to keep both careers alive and also brave not to allow yourself to just be pigeonholed just as an actor or a singer once you got a taste of success...
JL: Well, for me, I've been doing both for so long, since I was young. I mean I didn't start acting until I was in my early 20s, but it never bothered me, you know. And I think I got such an ass-kicking for it for so long in the beginning that people just get tired of beating me up, as much. There'll always be people that wanna try to beat us up but the people that really matter are the people that are coming to the shows, the people that are listening to the music, you know. We really have very few complaints. We just sold out Wembley Arena... we're doing our first arena tour. We're playing here at the O2. This is our second time in Dublin and there are gonna be a lot of people out there tonight, so we're just grateful more than anything.
LM: Do you enjoy coming over here?
JL: Aw yeah, I love it, such a great town, such a beautiful city.
LM: At this stage have you any plans for acting projects after the tour, or even directing? Is that something you could see yourself doing?
JL: Right now, we're just supporting 'This Is War'. We're doing our world tour. We are super-excited. We've just begun. So that's what's in front of us. We have a new single coming out soon called 'This Is War' and we'll be making a new video soon, and you know, travelling the world.
LM: You collaborated with Kanye West on 'Hurricane' on your new album. How did you find working with him?
JL: It was great. He was fun, easy, professional, creative and I think he did a great job on the song.
LM: Of course your brother Shannon is in the band with you. What's it like to tour with him?
JL: We have similar interests and we do really well together on the road. It's great to share this journey with someone who you've shared your life with.
LM: Have you any interest in turning your hand to producing other artists' musical work?
JL: No, not really. I mean, it's so much work. I don't think I would do that... You have to be kind of a crazy person to do that and I'm crazy enough with this band. Maybe I would do a song or something for someone else but it would have to be something I was really passionate about.
LM: Do you feel the same about collaborations or are there any artists that have influenced your musical career that you've love to work with given the chance?
JL: Yeah, I'd love to do something with U2. To do a song with Bono would be great.
LM: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences down through the years?
JL: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Cure.
LM: Seeing as you're over in Dublin, I know you mentioned U2 earlier but are there any other Irish artists that you're a fan of?
JL: Damien Rice, yeah, I like him a lot.
LM: Do you find the process of touring exhausting? I'm sure there is a great thrill in being somewhere new every night and meeting new fans around the world but it's still hard work, right?
JL: I'm so grateful. It's no minor miracle that we're playing these places and doing this. Even on the most exhausting of days I'd never lose sight of gratitude. It's incredible.
LM: Do you feel like that about all your work?
JL: No, making music is different. When you make music you have a different responsibility. When you're acting in a film... you know, if you were writing, editing, directing, lighting, producing and doing the catering on your own movie, and starring in it, then maybe you would feel the same as here. When you're making music, you're responsible for so many different facets and you're involved in so many different ways it's a little different. Not to say that both paths aren't equally as rewarding, it's just a different feeling.
LM: Watching your music videos it strikes me that a lot of thought goes into the concept behind them, like you want people to connect with them on another level, further to the song. Would that be fair to say?
JL: I think so. To me the music videos are as important as the songs themselves and I take great care with them. It's a chance to build upon the song, say something different, say something new.
LM: In terms of your career, do you plan projects – have you decided whether you want to write some more music after this tour or look at some scripts – or do you just do what you feel when the time comes?
JL: Mostly I do what I feel but you know sometimes it's smart to plan ahead.
LM: Looking back over your career, from your days on 'My So Called Life' to all the various movies you've starred in, do you look back on those times fondly, or perhaps some more so than others?
JL: I don't look back. There's so much to do today and tomorrow that I don't tend to look back too much.
LM: In terms of your high-profile status, do you find that difficult - being chased by paparazzi and forced to live this celebrity-lifestyle where everyone wants a piece of you?
JL: I've learned how to hide out. I know how to disappear when I need to. There's always a back door.
'This Is War' is out now on EMI Records.
Watch 30 Seconds to Mars' video for 'Kings and Queens' here.
