Norah Jones: Singing a Different Tune

Norah Jones became a huge star with the multiplatinum success of her 2002 debut album, “Come Away With Me,” which garnered her five Grammy Awards, including album of the year. The jazz-pop singer has since released two more albums and toured around the world. But more recently, she’s taken on a new challenge: acting. She makes her debut in the movie drama “My Blueberry Nights,” in which she plays a waitress named Elizabeth who’s recently been dumped by her boyfriend and who goes on a cross-country road trip to try to mend her broken heart. Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz are among those in the ensemble cast, and Jones has a song on the “My Blueberry Nights” soundtrack. Jones, 29, recently chatted about her first filmmaking experience, her real-life search for her own identity and what it was like to kiss her “My Blueberry Nights” costar Jude Law.

What did you think about the music in “My Blueberry Nights,” and what kind of feedback were you allowed to have about the film’s music?

The director [Wong Kar Wai] sent me a bunch of location-scout photos before we started filming, and he asked me to pick some music that I thought would go along with the photos. I knew a little bit about the story, but not a lot. So I chose Otis Redding, Cat Power, and I suggested the Cassandra Wilson cover of the Neil Young song [“Harvest Moon”]. Those were the things I suggested, and he used them throughout the shoot to set the mood and to get the camera-choreograph thing. That was nice that he put those three artists on the soundtrack, because for me it wouldn’t be the same

What was Jude Law like to work with, and how was he as a kisser?

It was fabulous. He’s great to work with. He’s just a nice guy. He’s fun in between takes. He tells jokes. He made me feel very uncomfortable at a time when I was very unsure of myself because my first few scenes were with him.

Why did you choose this movie to make your film debut?

I got off tour and heard that Wong Kar Wai wanted to meet with me. I loved two of his movies that I had seen. I said, “OK. Who knows what he wants?” And he asked me to be in a film with him, and I really loved his filmmaking. To be honest, I don’t know why I said “yes,” because [at the time] there was no script, there was no cast, there was no story. I had no idea, but I just trusted him because I was like, “OK, this guy is an artist.”

Have you caught the acting bug, and when can people expect a new album from you?

I have no plans at this moment except to stay home for a while and relax. I really enjoyed making the film. I would love to do [acting] again, but it would have to be another special film, because I had such a great experience. I don’t think I want to do it all the time. I want to keep it special, I guess. We’ll see.

Part of the road trip in the movie takes place in Memphis. What should people see and do when they’re in Memphis?

You should go to Gus’ Fried Chicken and order 12 pieces so you can save them in your hotel for later. You should go get ribs at either Central Barbeque or Cozy Corner. And you should go to Wild Bill’s and hear music and dance. You should also go to Sun Records and Graceland, which we didn’t have time to do anyhow. But we did get the food delivered.

What would be your dream place to travel?

I’ve been really busy working for the past few years. When I finally got the opportunity to take a vacation, I actually went camping in Big Bend National Park down on the border of Texas and New Mexico.

Do you relate to your character’s search for an identity?

I related to that a lot. I just turned 29 but I consider myself young-ish, and I think that the past 10 years have been a leap, from 19 to now. Even though I’ve had a lot of success and have been making music for a lot of people, when I was 22 I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I’m still searching, observing all these characters … I think [the Elizabeth character in “My Blueberry Nights”] learned from other people’s mistakes. I think she learned from her humanness and the inner beauty she sees in other people. She learned a lot about herself.

What do you think about how the music industry has changed from when you first started, especially with the effects of Internet file-sharing?

I think there are two sides to the coin. Now the record labels and bigger artists aren’t going to make as much money, but it’s great for the small indie bands who can get their stuff out there on the Internet. I think something [big] will happen, but I have no idea what that would be.