I love to read about music and about art, but I don't try and take things about mythology or guidelines as to how I'm to behave as an artist. It's the realm of intellectual debate. Actually, more and more my direction is trying to get further away from being self-conscious of what the parameters are of the mainstream, where it intersects with the underground.

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?

Being alive and understanding that and making the decision to actually live take a lot of courage.

Believe in the power of songs.

There are lots of people in the world whose existence doesn't revolve around American culture.

It's a strange life... you really don't know how you will impact people or how things will play out.

Lots of people take the option of not activating their own life, of really letting it happen.