Pitchfork: Both of you are musicians, do you ever talk about working on music together?

Thomas Mars: Every time we see each other, it revolves around music—even your bachelor party was in a music studio.

What went down at that bachelor party?

Jason Schwartzman: It was a surprise. We got into this car and drove to what used to be A&M Studios, and my little brother had arranged for us to have an hour there to record any song we wanted. We did [Cheap Trick’s] “Surrender.”

TM: It was in the “We Are the World” room. Roman [Coppola, Sofia’s brother], played drums.

Do you trade music suggestions?

JS: I’m always interested in what you’re listening to—just knowing what someone’s been listening to or watching is not small talk to me. That’s the biggest talk. When you talk about or listen to an album together, the album can instantly change. You can learn so much. I know that Thomas and the whole band are real adventurers when it comes to music. Every time I see them, it’s like talking to an explorer.

TM: Time is very precious; even when we saw each other at my wedding, we only had four days. And every time we see each other, it’ll never be the two of us, it’s either a family reunion or with the band. So it always goes straight to talk about what you’ve encountered. It’s not only music. One day, he gifted me 32 iTunes movies that I must see, which is so precious when you’re traveling the country. He feeds me with this.

What’s the best recent movie recommendation Jason has given you?

TM: The documentary Shepard & Dark about [writers] Sam Shepard and Johnny Dark. It’s beautiful because it’s two guys that have totally different lifestyles, but they complement each other. They realize they shouldn’t be the same in order to like each other.

Jason, I take it you’re a big cinephile.

JS: I mean, I love movies but...

TM: He’s too humble to say it.

JS: ...music is a little easier to take in. When I’m driving in Los Angeles, I can just ride to the pharmacy and hear two pieces of music I’ve never heard before. That’s what I love about music. I’m not a cinephile.

Do you miss being in Phantom Planet?

JS: Of course, especially when I’m around these guys. They’re a really inspiring band because they’re all friends and they all write music. I remember at his wedding, they were in the midst of all of this playing and recording, and all four of them were huddled in a corner talking and laughing. I just remember thinking that most other bands would take a break from each other. It’s unique. That image to me is the overall spirit of the band, and when you’re around that, you’re like, “Yeah, it would be fun to be with your friends that you’ve had since you were young.” That’s what I’ve always admired about them.