Truest ode to NYC’s Tom’s Diner: Your 1987 a capella song, or Seinfeld hangout?
My song.
What’s your reaction to the remix? “Tom’s Diner” had 25 different versions, including one by Will Smith and another by Tupac.
I love the remix. My favorite is Nikki D’s “Daddy’s Little Girl.”
You were the first musician to have an avatar perform live on the Internet.
What’s your view on the digital you?
Not bad. My face is more expressive. My avatar has bigger breasts. Other
than that, we are sort of similar.
It’s our arts and design issue, and you’ve been on five world tours.
What museum or piece of architecture tops your charts?
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial—once you’ve seen it, you can never forget it.
You’ve tried on techno on your new album, Beauty and Crime. How will your
avant-garde spin play to the Birchmere set on Sept. 18?
It will do fine, I am sure—the live show is the usual mix of acoustic guitar,
storytelling and experimenting with the band.
Is there a career moment you wish you could rewind? Any proud moment
you’d put on repeat?
In 1988, I turned down the chance to work with Brian Eno. Wouldn’t mind rewinding that moment. The first time I heard “Luka” on the radio, I was thrilled.
You’re called the “mother of the MP3” because your voice was used as a model for the technology. Any thoughts on ushering in the era of the earbud- and iPod-addicted?
I am proud to be part of this moment in technological history.
Dream gem of a backup singer: Neil Diamond, or your daughter, Ruby Froom?
My daughter, thanks.
On the track “Zephyr & I,” you write about a graffiti artist. How do you
feel about graffiti getting play on art galleries’ inside walls?
I love it. I think it’s a great place for it. Both of my brothers were into graffiti as an art form.
Your husband, Paul Mills, was a street poet in the 1980s. But what is your take on mimes?
I adore my husband, but am not usually a fan of mimes. Although my band and I did open for Marcel Marceau once—we had to wait behind a screen until he was done performing. We had a hard time figuring out when he was finished.