Actor Adam Goldberg singing new tune

Adam Goldberg looks towards the media during a press conference for the production of ''Deja Vu,'' the first major theatrical film to be shot in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans February 2, 2006.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - From Eddie Murphy to Zooey Deschanel, actors trying their hand at a musical career is nothing new.

The latest to throw his hat into the ring is actor/filmmaker/producer Adam Goldberg, best-known for his roles in movies like "Dazed and Confused" and "Saving Private Ryan." Under the name LANDy, Goldberg release his debut, "Eros and Omissions," June 23 through his own Apology Music label.

Although Goldberg has dabbled in the music world for years, the LANDy project started to take form when he hooked up with the Flaming Lips' Stephen Drozd, Earlimart's Aaron Espinoza and Los Angeles band the Black Pine. The result is 18 tracks of layered soundscapes that range from moody electro to subtle dream-pop.

Billboard caught up with Goldberg to discuss the new effort, his acting and musical pursuits, and what's in store for Apology Music.

1. YOU'RE BEST-KNOWN FOR YOUR ACTING -- WHY THE TRANSITION

INTO MUSIC?

It was never any sort of conscious effort to make a transition. Going way back, I always wanted to make sounds -- which I think of as an all-encompassing kind of art form -- sounds, images and music and all these various things. I ended up making a living as an actor, and then anytime I felt like I needed to write, I would write music. I had no rock-star aspirations in any way; I felt like there might be people interested in listening.

2. HOW DO YOU VIEW YOURSELF AMONG OTHER

ACTOR-TURNED-MUSICIANS?

I guess I wasn't aware of how much this was an issue until I started talking to people about it. There's going to be good music and there's going to be bad music no matter who's doing it. I don't have any sort of overarching opinion about actors who make music. I get that there's a certain amount of skepticism about people involved in both. But I think if you're someone who genuinely has something to communicate, you should be allowed to do it.

3. HOW DID YOU CONNECT WITH STEPHEN DROZD?

The Flaming Lips were in town rehearsing with Beck, and right about that time I was in preproduction for my movie "I Love Your Work." I wanted to meet them and see if they were interested in doing the music. I went to the show at the Knitting Factory and heard backstage that Stephen wanted to meet me. Apparently he kept a running list of his top 10 man crushes. At the time I believe Thom Yorke was No. 1, and I believe I actually made it to No. 2. We sort of quickly developed a bromance.

4. THE ALBUM IS DIVIDED INTO A SIDE A AND SIDE B. WHY DID

YOU DO THAT?

I always sort of viewed it as some kind of narrative. It's not in any chronological order. It's a somewhat arbitrary position of cohesion. Plus I couldn't really bear to look at 18 tracks just listed in a row. There's something a little bit ugly about that.

5. AS AN ACTOR YOU'RE KNOWN FOR YOUR COMEDIC CHARACTERS,

BUT ON THE ALBUM THERE'S A DARKER TONE. WAS THAT DELIBERATE?

As an actor, I'm hired to do what I'm hired to do. And then what I've done on my own, whether it's a filmmaker or a music person, it's just been who I am. It's an expression of my moods. The things that drive me to write or make music are certain moods, which isn't to say those are the moods I'm always in, but those are the only times I feel creative.

6. WHAT IS APOLOGY MUSIC?

Apology Music is my label. It's an imprint of a small label called Nine Yards, and they facilitated the distribution deal with (Alternative Distribution Alliance). I'm paying for everything. I was really overwhelmed by how to go about putting this out there. Initially I was like, "Whatever, dump it on iTunes." I now know more about this than I ever thought I would. It's been really difficult; I've lost weight! If I ever put together a little fund, I would love to be able to start a collective that went beyond just distributing my album for personal purposes.

(Editing by Dean Gooodman at Reuters)

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