I've rarely kept my distance from kind of - I don't know if we can call it politics, but kind of, civic engagement and that kind of thing, except I tended to think, 'Well, do it yourself before you start telling other people what they should be doing.'

I came to New York to be a fine artist - that was my ambition.

For years we have been taught not to like things. Finally somebody said it was OK to like things. This was a great relief. It was getting hard to go around not liking everything.

I don't believe that crime, danger and poverty make for good art. That's bullshit.

Cycling can be lonely, but in a good way.

I think sometimes - not always - I write songs that are accessible.

I try to devote my afternoons to making music in my home studio, but it's a lot more fun hanging out with musicians and friends, and trying subtly to influence a band than making your own stuff.