I wouldn't go into the studio if I didn't have a band who's ready, willing, and able.

To me, craft work is the ultimate. Maybe I got this idea from the autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, who was employed as a sculptor to the state and church, making coins and things. While he admired Michelangelo, he also made fun of his spiritual angst with art.

I took piano lessons when I was a little kid, but even before that, you're singing in the classroom and wherever. Gosh, children are always singing. But I took music lessons, some choir and things like that at school. I learned how to play the guitar when I was about 13... ancient history.

I hate my voice. I've never been comfortable singing.

I was just a folk singer. I cut my teeth on the streets, you know.

I write for myself, and I write for my friends and people who I have a connection with. I try to give some dignity to peoples' lifestyles that tend to be ignored.

A baseball team is like a band. Because, conceptually, there are no heroes in baseball - there's just the team.