Sound Levels: Profiles in American Music, 2002-2009

What does the artist owe his audience? Must he speak for his race or nation, or can he express himself with true individuality? Where is the line between the onstage and offstage personas? Through in-depth profiles of some of American music's most fascinating performers, journalist and critic Phil Freeman explores these questions and many others. Sound Levels includes interviews with Tom Waits, Ornette Coleman, the Mars Volta, Sunn O))), the Melvins, Mike Patton, Calle 13, Café Tacuba and more.