I rummage around in artistic things from the past. If you don't understand the context, they wouldn't make any sense. I rummage around in conceptual ideas of the future, but if you don't know the source of the thinking, [it] wouldn't make any sense.

I reached a point in my life where I felt like I was living through some old character.

The point is to let the music be itself. If it doesn't mean anything to you, then it's bullsh*t.

I've thought many times, 'I can't write this,' but on my own little planet I found the courage to write it because it was true. I put aside fear of Father being angry with me. It's hard though; the world pales in comparison with the stature of a parent. In some small-consolation way, my parents feel I'm helping people by giving them something to identify with. They feel proud in a sort of reverse way. My mom's proud of the fact that lots of kids look up to me.

Well, all rock and roll is based in artifice.

I've become a guy who's like a complaining, whining neurotic.

These days you're not just competing with the tedium, you're competing with the cellphone.