Pinko Magazine Hedonism + Activism

The voice behind “Luna” and “Dean and Britta” sounds off about canvassing for Barack Obama and … a sequel to Satisfaction?

Britta Phillips has played a pretty stunning number of roles in her 20+ year career. She’s lent her singing voice to a truly outrageous cartoon rockstar. She’s played comic relief for 80s superstar Justine Bateman (and 80s nobody Julia Roberts) in the brilliant but often misunderstood film “Satisfaction“.

Britta has also done some work as an actual rockstar. Her band The Belltower with ex-husband Jody Porter (Fountain’s of Wayne) more or less was American Shoegaze. She’s also done stints with the all girl band Ultrababyfat and toured with Ben Lee.

Britta is probably best known, however, for her work with the band Luna and her post-Luna collaboration with Dean Wareham. The duo (they married in 2007) have released two albums together, “L’Avventura” and “Back Numbers”, and they’ve either scored or contributed to the soundtrack of films like “The Squid & The Whale” and “Margot at the Wedding”. I could go on…

Until recently there was one role that Britta had never attempted: The role of political activist. Pinko sat down with her recently to talk about music, movies and to hear what has her so fired up and ready to go…

Pinko: Musicians and celebrities, from Will.I.am to Chuck Norris, have been coming out this year to support their choice of presidential candidates. As a musician and actor, have you seen this level of activism from your peers before? Is 2008 different somehow?

Britta: Barack Obama is a phenomenon. I’ve never felt this way about a politician before. He is different and he has come along at just the right time. And this moment in history has helped make the man. The “movement” that has gotten behind him makes me feel good about this country for the first time in my adult life.

Pinko: I understand this is the first time you’ve been this involved in a presidential election. What inspired you to support Obama?

Britta: I wanted him to be president as soon as I heard him debate. He actually listened to questions and gave honest, intelligent answers. The more I watched and listened the stronger I felt until I finally signed up to volunteer in Philly a few weeks ago.

Pinko: You recently went to Fort Wayne, Indiana to canvas for Barack Obama. What made you decide to go to Indiana? What were the main concerns of the people you met while you were there?

Britta: After PA lost because of places like Bucks & Montgomery counties (where I grew up) I felt like I needed to do more. I thought about going to Indiana, but what compelled at the last minute was all the Rev. Wright coverage. I caught a ride down there with three other people. None of us had met before. We found each other through other Obama volunteers online. We left at 8:30 Friday night and arrived in Fort Wayne at 8AM. (I had originally planned on going to Indianapolis). The first day in Indiana, we were sent to the middle and upper middle class suburbs. They were mostly Republicans so that was rather intimidating and depressing. This was my first time canvassing so I was a bit unsure of myself. On Sunday, Obama came to town for a “Picnic.” Thousands of people showed up and my job was to sign up volunteers. Their concerns were education, the war, and the economy. Many were very misinformed, thinking Obama is Muslim or that he hates South America, for example. I met one older Republican man who was voting for McCain because he thought he’d been to the moon. I found that just giving people my ear and sharing my thoughts and feelings with them was the best way to win them over. People don’t respond well to aggression or condescension.

Pinko: When I got the email about your Indiana trip I noticed (The Squid and The Whale writer/director) Noah Baumbach was CC’d. Is he by any chance working on a Barack Obama biopic? If so, will Barack be represented by a snarky but emotional damaged academic and/or sea captain? If so, is Bill Murray involved in any way? If so, what can we expect from the soundtrack?

Britta: Oh shit, that was a mistake. Somehow I forgot to make it a blind CC. I hope he’s not mad. No, he’s working on his new film.

Pinko: Speaking of movies, do you have any acting project we should keeping an eye out for?

Britta: I worked on a small independent film last year. It’s called “House of Satisfaction” (I only do films with the word “Satisfaction” in them, apparently). I have a commercial agent who signed me up after seeing a Luna show, but I don’t have a “legit” agent (for film and tv). I love to act, but it’s a tough business. I’m just hoping for some offers to come through on MySpace ; )

Pinko: Is “House of Satisfaction” by any chance a sequel to 1988’s Satisfaction? We’re dying to know.

Britta: Ha, ha ha! No way. Although, that would be really fun to make (and couldn’t possibly be any worse than the original). I do play a junkie musician in “House of Satisfaction,” though.

Pinko: Dean has a new memoir out called “Black Postcards”. What kind of juicy tidbits can readers expect?

Britta: Oh yes…hmmm…erm….well…. just read Liz Phair’s review in the New York Times Book Review.

Pinko: So what’s up next from Dean and Britta?

Britta: We have a few shows coming up at The Zipper Factory in NYC on July 24th, August 21st and September 20th. The Zipper Factory is an old zipper factory on W. 37th St. It only holds about 200 people and it’s seated (the seats are old car seats). We’re thinking of having different themes for each show (maybe all G500 songs for one, our first album, “L’Avventura” for another, covers…??)

We’ve also been commissioned by the Warhol Museum to perform music for 13 of Andy Warhol’s screen tests. I think there will be a DVD, as well. We have about 6 performances scheduled (beginning with Pittsburgh in October), but there may be more added. I’ll post info on our websites as soon as they’re confirmed.

Pinko: Finally, Is it true you almost killed Demetri Martin with your bike?

Britta: Wow, you’ve seen everything. The director kept telling me to get closer and go faster, so there were a couple of very close calls. He probably would have lived, though.

Photo Credit: John Wareham

About The Author - Stirling McLaughlin is an Art Director, Designer and Illustrator in New York City. Stirling enjoys vegan baking, expensive sportswear and mustard and relish sandwiches. Stirling lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter. - Visit Stirling's site.