I remember when I first moved to New York, people said, "Wow, man! You're so great. You have all these hopes and dreams, but it's going to be sad when you realize how the world really works!" But one of the things I love most about this city is that everyone who moves here is being unreasonable. There's a sense of solidarity about that.

The most influential time in my life musically was definitely those piano lessons.

In a longer term relationship, I don't know that the intoxication would add very much - it might even take away. You don't perform as well, get tired faster and lose your edge. It can also dull your senses, so you might not appreciate what's going on.

Everything is always going through changes in terms of attitudes or mood.

That I ever think for one minute that I should ever feel lonely is obscene and unreasonable.

In fine arts, when you make a painting, it's just a painting. But if you make a painting in the entertainment industry, it can be an album cover or a t-shirt or a logo. I like that entertainment has this usefulness - that it's ultimately trying to make a bunch of people feel something, and to think about life and be able to use things that were so simple and direct but potentially have a really powerful effect.

Everyone knows that in the early stages of a relationship, some alcohol can help lead to lowering inhibitions, calming some nerves and encouraging fearlessness. And sometimes that helps you meet someone or get with a partner you normally wouldn't have, so it can be good in that sense.