Pretty much any given day, barring some major distraction, I get melodies coming to me. Lyrics don't come quite as easily. So I've been inventing little projects and challenges to sort of kick my ass with the lyrics.

Some of my earlier songs are kind of more about mental illness.

The way I work, I'm not a confessional singer-songwriter.

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

I put a lot into my records, and I won't release anything I'm not totally thrilled with.

I also don't believe that "everything happens for a reason," which is in a similar category of world-views.

I'm coming from a place that's more experimental and indulgent already, so for the last 10 years, it's been more like, "How can I defend my own sensibilities by writing a nugget of a little catchy pop song?" That's how I'm stretching myself, by writing something really simple.