I like the idea that you would participate in mainstream culture, especially for young girls and young kids who are looking for an alternative. It's not that I'm superior, but I know that my heart is in it more than people who get into music for other reasons.

Generally I try to read anything but indie rock journalism or anything about music at all, especially in the summer.

In my imaginary utopian world there would be a greater allegiance between music writers and musicians.

You feel like you're trying to show off your cool by mentioning the five bands that you know are great and the five books that will reflect well on you. I can't do it. I should take the time to but I don't want to take the time to do that.

Oftentimes the most produced and synth-tastic songs are the ones that end up sounding the best acoustic.

The things that I've seen where people are trying to change the definition of what a band has to be, those are the things that end up being inspiring.

We don't have T-shirts with my face, but there I can see the beginnings, especially young girls seeing me as sort of a icon in that way. And in that regard I'm more than happy to step in.