Most of my early records were not cohesive at all, just collections of demos recorded in different years. 'Odelay' was the first time I actually got to go in the studio and record a piece of music in a continuous linear fashion, although that was written over a year.

I didn't even have a computer until like 10 years ago. I was still using a typewriter until 2002.

Originally, the lyrics to "Girl" were really upbeat, and then it didn't work for me somehow. You need the dichotomy. If you're doing something happy and light, you need the shadows.

No one should drive a hard bargain with an artist.

Sea Change was so specific. From the beginning it was set what it was going to be. All the other ideas that I had at the time I had to put to the side.

I think you have to keep a childlike quality to play music or make a record.

I try not to do email; I try to talk to people on the phone.