There is not much irony when people are being happy on screen.

I like the fact that New York looks a bit backwards, toward the Old World, rather than resolutely forwards.

How does my music connect to an audience? That is just a complete mystery to me.

All my music is very simple in that melody is usually clearly stated.

The jarring change going from an urban environment to an extremely remote natural environment is extremely inspiring. It's constantly stimulating, it's like a slap in the face.

I don't personally see my work as being dark. What interests me is a balance between light and dark.

On Being John Malkovich and the cinema of the absurd, I do enjoy it. I wish there were more like it. The very fact that there can't be more like it is one of the reasons it's admirable.