Interview with Host Jared Leto

June 24, 2008

Lead vocalist for American rock band 30 Seconds To Mars, Jared Leto, is certainly no stranger to the entertainment industry.

From his sterling turns in several meaty roles in films, to making some of the most beautiful, emotionally resonant music in the critically acclaimed album A Beautiful Lie, Jared has done it all.

Now, the multi-talented Jared will also play host at the 2008 MTV Asia Awards (MAA) happening in Genting, Malaysia, on August 2.

We stole a few quick minutes of Jared's time, and spoke to him about about the MAAs, as well as surviving in a band with a sibling.

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MTV: The MTV Asia Awards is back, with you as our host for the event. What are you looking forward to the most?
Jared: Well, I have quite an obvious interest in Asia, I've talked about it quite a bit, shot a video in China. It was a really great experience for us as a band, something we still talk about to this day. And for us, coming to a place like Malaysia is a very very exotic and mysterious experience. So I'm really excited about it, and very thrilled to have been asked to be a part of the festivities and I'm looking forward to it!

MTV: So are we! But going back to when it all started, when and why did you decide to go into music, having first enrolled into a university primarily for an Arts (painting) course?
Jared: I've always made music since I was a kid. But we've been making music as a band for a long time. It's something that I always did, and it just started taking over a bigger part of my life. Eventually we just wanted to make a CD and go on tour. Music is interesting. It can be very seductive and exciting. That's just what happened to us. It just became a bigger and bigger passion for us, and something that we wanted to pursue even more.

MTV: Where did the name 30 Seconds To Mars come from?
Jared: For us, the name 30 Seconds To Mars has little to do with space, the universe or anything like that. It is a name that works on several different levels. Most importantly, it is a good representation of our sound. It's a phrase that is lyrical, suggestive, cinematic, and filled with immediacy. It has some sense of otherness to it. The concept of space is so overwhelming and all-encompassing I doubt there is a song written that doesn't fall within it.

MTV: How do you find time to juggle both your music and acting?
Jared: Right now music is definitely the priority. But when I make a film, I shut off and focus on that completely so it doesn't feel so much like a clash. A lot of people have asked me what I like better or what would I choose if I had to, but I don't look at myself as an actor making music or a musician wanting to act; I love doing both and I am very grateful for the opportunities.

MTV: Being in a band with a sibling, how do you think it helps your music-making?
Jared: I think there's a connectivity, commitment, and a communication that's wonderful. I don't know if I would have done this for as long as I've been doing it, if it wasn't for my brother. I don't know if I would have followed through with this experience. It's inspiring, but of course, sometimes it can be also be challenging. You know, brothers and sisters... [Laughs] But at the end of the day, Shannon is an amazingly talented drummer, who also happens to be my brother.

MTV: The titles for most of your tracks sound so dreamy, far-out and lyrical, much as your band name suggests. How do you come up with them?
Jared: You know, usually the titles come alive either from the lyrics or from the general idea of the song. I had a teacher when I was a kid who told me, that a great title gives an indication of something that's contained within the song. I like that. You might not know it until you get through the song, and then you look back and just go, "Ahh... now I see how that's all of it."

MTV: Could you name some of your musical influences?
Jared: The Cure, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails. Did I say Led Zeppelin?

MTV: Nope. But now you did!
Jared: [Laughs] I have so many. David Bowie too.

MTV: What are the criterions that you use to pick which songs to include on your albums?
Jared: They have to be good! [Laughs] If they suck, then they're out. I tend to write a lot of songs, so I have to throw out a lot as well. You just hope that you choose the songs that are the best, and that tell a story. Sometimes you have a couple of songs that are equally good, but tell of the same things, and that's where you need to have some diversity and dynamics. Songs for me are like a chapter of a book. So every record is a continuation of the story, and takes me to different places.

MTV: You’ve always had an overall theme about life/human experiences in your music. Will you continue to follow this through on your next album?
Jared: Yes, I think so. It's a very personal experience for me, to make music. I believe you should always put a lot of yourself into your work, whether it's introspection or commentary on people and situations.

MTV: Could you share one experience in Asia that you feel had an impact on your perspective in life?
Jared: I spent time in Cambodia, Thailand, China, and Japan. Going to China was a very special experience for us. We really took a piece of that culture home with us. It inspired us in a lot of ways, and it was exciting to be a part of all the wonderful things that were happening in the country at that time.