I am really inspired by writers, and weirdly - respect music journalists, which I think makes me the exception amongst most musicians. I think it's a craft. I think it's been really neglected - sadly. I think about the days of the great legendary rock critics. Who's going to become that when magazines and newspapers don't pay anyone properly or don't seem to respect the history or research that is required?

I try not to focus on the gender issue too much but I think you have to acknowledge it in order for it to go away.

I see how 14-year old girls react to me and I think I'm a good role model. Rockstar maybe not, but I'm willing to play with it for a little while, until my hair gets gray.

That's the main work that I've done in my life - really wanting to get past that gender trap where there's a certain nudity in poetry. It's not about showing my soul, it's about observations.

I like the idea of interviews where you just talk about stuff instead of where it's my chance to talk to my public through something else.

The architecture of the song, if it's built properly, can withstand all kinds of things.

Believe in the power of songs.