When I'm writing with just an acoustic guitar, it can be for anyone.

Bands from Akron have a sense of humor and don't tend to take themselves too seriously.

Guitar solos bore the hell out of me. Only a few guitarists interest me, and it's not about the solos they play, it's about the grooves they create.

I started playing bluegrass with my family, so there were the G, C and D chords. I was playing a Martin acoustic because that's what Carter Stanley of the Stanley Brothers played. Then I got into the really raw blues of Hound Dog Taylor and started on electric guitar.

The Black Keys is just a band that wants to get on stage and rock it.

My mum's family would all get together, with guitars, harmonica, mandolins and upright bass and play old blues and folk songs. That was normal to me.

Songs aren't owned by anyone.