I was in school for literature, and read so many 19th century and early 20th century novels that it was hard to break out of that and read an average Jeanette Winterson book or something.
Colin MeloyLiving in war, and being a wartime band, I don't think there's any way that can't somehow influence the songwriting.
Colin MeloyWhen I first started writing these kind of songs that would eventually become Decemberists songs, I was writing them because I knew that nobody was listening at the time and that it wouldn't hurt to challenge myself and get weirder and see if I could alienate more people
Colin MeloyWhen you get respect from the people who are buying your music and coming to your shows, there's an expectation that you have to live up to your own standards.
Colin Meloy