No, it's not dissatisfaction that inspires me to tinker with my songs, it's just restlessness.

I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good.

My favorite literature to read is fairly dry history. I like the framework, and my imagination can do the rest.

I've always had levity in my songs, so I like to turn things over, twist them around, and make fun of myself.

I'm just trying to get my body in shape so that I can handle it. It's a very physically demanding thing. I've been doing it for 16 years, so I know what I'm going into now. I'm trying to stay calm and not panic.

There's always a tension between wanting to write a really concise, instant gratification type song that gets under your skin the first time you hear it, and wanting to really stretch out. I think it's a healthy tension.

There's been this perception that Europeans still hold on to, that they discover the real talented ones in American culture and give them proper credit and that's not true anymore - it used to be. A lot of jazz musicians would get respect in Europe.