I've never approached classical music in a formal way, ever. I couldn't read very well. I'd have to play every piece and internalize it, almost as if I had written it myself.

Honestly, I didn't have the patience for biology or history in an academic sense, but I always liked the kind of big questions.

Sometimes I think I don't have much choice in the matter. It's just what happens, and I'm following my instincts the whole time.

I just pay attention to what's in my head. That's my number-one rule.

Playing the violin and singing and whistling are just three different ways of making sound.

What's cool about indie rock is that one band can do effectively the same thing as another band, and one band nails it, and the other one doesn't. I like that elusiveness.

The orchestra's an amazing instrument, but I don't want to just arrange my songs for it. I think that might be kind of boring and a little bit overdramatic, perhaps. I'm still just having too much fun doing it my way, for the time being.