Several months ago, I got an e-mail from Marianne Dissard, the Tuscan-based artist, who released her debut album earlier this year. A few months later, I’m happy to bring you this exclusive – and extensive – interview with her.

Dissard, who was born in France and moved to the US at the age of 16, has a resume of artistic endeavors to make most (or at least me) wonder what I’ve been doing with all my time. Among the highlights are projects as diverse as her 2009 French-language album, L’Entredeux, produced by Joey Burns of Calexico and her 1996 documentary of the critically acclaimed and influential 1990′s indie band Giant Sand.