I think in the world of indie music there's this sort of false modesty.

Cinema, which is influenced by every single part of life, is direct and reaches you immediately. And writing - the best writing is complex ideas communicated concisely. And music - if it's a good tune, make sure people can bloody hear it!

You can't write for the cultural environment - if you do that, by the time it comes out, that cultural environment has passed. You have to be aiming for something that's original - that's the only way you can have any kind of impact.

Men behave very oddly in the company of attractive women.

The best songwriting comes from being as creative as you can and editing it down to the good bits, essentially.

A lot of bands have the enthusiasm kicked out of them by playing really dreary pub venues that just churn bands through.

There's a difference between expectations and aspirations.