I'm really happy that people are starting to hear my band, and we are so happy to be conduits for all this other happiness, and this emotional response. So, I can't be like, "that doesn't matter to me, I'm an artist, I exist apart from that!" But on the other hand, if you buy into that too much, you're setting yourself up... if I start thinking, "well, people at the show really liked one song, maybe I should write more songs like that," then I'm in trouble.
Carey MercerTen people who are into our music is better than three hundred people who are just standing there.
Carey MercerAn acceptance of your cultural inheritance, and at the same time a dislike of it, is a building block of good art.
Carey MercerWe hate our heroes, you know. That's one of the great things about this whole deconstruction thing - there's no more heroes. It's always been there, you just look at people's reactions, and when the good guys are skunks, those parts stick with us.
Carey MercerThe whole idea of civilization as an understandable narrative is a bit nuts. It's the most problematic of delusions.
Carey MercerIt's pretty awesome to be in a band with your wife! The tour, it beats you down, and we can just share that, and sometimes revel in the experience. If she wasn't here, or she was just here as a civilian, she maybe would feel uncomfortable.
Carey MercerYou don't expect people to go, "music has just been reinvented!" But the hope is that people won't say, "this is the most boring clichรฉ." I mean, that's one of my pursuits, is trying to not become a clichรฉ, or get stuck in that. But even that's a clichรฉ in itself! It's difficult! But I think it's worth it.... It's a real vicious circle there.
Carey Mercer