Songwriters can sort of get away with murder. You can throw out crazy theories and not have to back it up with data or graphs or research.

Sometimes the word dictated the melody.

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

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

I think when I was pretty young I got really into the tone of my instrument and I remember just playing one note for an hour to just kind of feel the resonance of the violin.

There is something comforting about going into a practice room, putting your sheet music on a stand and playing Bach over and over again.

I've always felt that dark lyrics with dark music is pretty useless. Maybe that's a strong statement - not useless, but for me, it's just boring.