Richard Nichols, he's our manager. He manages The Roots, Jaguar...and I don't know where we'd be if we hadn't found him. We were desperately seeking something, and had already exhausted anything everybody could have possibly done for us. We have already worked with Stevie Wonder (On his album "Conversation Peace"), so where do you go from there? You don't get any bigger than that, as far as respect, and songwriters go.

That album wasn't his greatest masterpiece. I think he feel into the loop we all do. You start believing the hype everybody is telling you. Meanwhile, Stevie created a whole form of songwriting, all his own. You don't have to follow anybody, Stevie! :) We're following you, everybody in the game is following you. There are just too many people in everybody's ears sometimes. Too much talking, not enough creating, supporting. Too much judgment rather than, "let me see who I'm going to be."

JJ: That brings Jill Scott to mind. She is a big, beautiful woman, and when they first shopped her music, they didn't show any photos. Her voice is what caught us, and she is just this beautiful presence, but people wouldn't have taken the time to listen to her at first--at least there's that possibility. And how she looks, she's just been so embraced; it's a pleasant surprise.

JFN: She's incredibly talented, and she came at the right time. Sadly, not too many big girls are becoming sex symbols. So she was another person to open a door. To let people understand that it's bigger than that. It's really hard being a woman in this industry. Nobody gives a sh*t. If you don't look good, forget about it. I know the reason we've been able to get ahead is because we're beautiful, you know? But it's okay. I understand it. But I'm somebody of substance. More than just that--and I WILL get heard.

JJ: That's so valuable for our audience to hear--music lovers, artists of all kinds, anyone, really.

In that vein of confidence and support, tell us about Black Lily (blacklily.com), the "Women if Music Series" of performances in New York and Philadelphia.

JFN: We started it about four years ago at The Wetlands in New York. We wanted to give other female artists an opportunity that we didn't have when we were trying to figure it out. To have an audience...and really work out what they are trying to do for themselves...and see if people are responsive, and also to help them gain confidence.

JJ: How can indie artists get involved?

JFN: The best way to get involved would be to send a tape to the office--either to Okayplayer.com, or Rykodisc, and we'll listen. If you're trying to get a spot, we need to know what you sound like, etc., but anybody is welcome to submit whatever they like at any time. You can find out more about it at Blacklily.com also.