If he wasn't already, Steve Earle has lately become a familiar face and singer to fans of The Wire. On the show, he's played a recovering addict who tries to help much-loved character Bubbles with his own addiction. On the music front, his song "I Feel Alright" is on the newly released series soundtrack, ... and all the pieces matter, and his version of Tom Waits's "Way Down in the Hole" opens each show this season.

In an interview with Spinner magazine, Earle discusses his history with the show and his appreciation of Waits, whom he calls "one of the two or three greatest singer-songwriters of my generation." He's also quick to compliment versions of "Way Down in the Hole" other than his own; he says the DoMaJe rendition from Season Four, one of four on the soundtrack, is his "personal favorite next to the Waits original," which also appears on the album.

To read the article, visit spinner.com.