I think what happens is when something becomes successful, then a lot of people take credit for it in such ways that it takes credit away from you.

The smallest oceans still make big big waves.

You have to be able to grow and move with the organism that is the music industry. You need to maintain flexibility. Ownership of your own stuff is key and then you're able to dictate on a present-terms basis what would be the most effective way to protect yourself and what you've created. You also don't want to lock yourself into a situation where a major label owns part of your touring and merchandise.

I don't know how people do it these days - paparazzi and that kind of thing. That's something I can't even imagine.

Music saved me; I mean, my upbringing was like a hurricane, and music was the tree I held onto.

Ladies and gentleman of Florida, this is the real Jeff Ament...take a very good look because there's an imposter running around...if someone comes up to you and says he's Jeff Ament and says he wants to take your pot or wants to take you to a strip club, it's probably not him.

When I had a child, everyone was telling me that I was going to see the world through her eyes, and everything was going to get this nice gloss to it. I kept waiting for that to happen, and thought there was a real problem with me that it wasn't.