I think jazz was just seeking respect and validity because a lot of people didn't believe it was a viable art form, and then they got a lot of attention in Europe. A lot of bands that can't catch flies in the US have these followings in Europe, [but] it's less and less the case. American audiences are way more sophisticated and adventurous than anyone thinks that they are.

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.

It's not set in stone. I like to keep it rolling and changing, and so I am like, "Great, I get to remake my song."

I write a lot more when I'm happy, because you're hopeful, you're motivated.

You travel with the hope that something unexpected will happen. It has to do with enjoying being lost and figuring it out and the satisfaction. I always get a little disappointed when I know too well where I’m going, or when I’ve lived in a place so long that there’s no chance I could possibly get lost.

Every time I get up in the morning, melodies occur to me and I start trying to shape lyrics to melodies.

I've literally opened it up to suggestions and it's totally chaotic and kind of a bad idea. You don't need the actual feedback to get a sense. When you're showing a song for the first time, people can feel that newness.