I really embrace things that I think people who like music can relate to, they grew up with the same stuff and know the same references so when they hear it being used as a metaphor to something else they'll be like that's unique, or funny or something that's relatable to me.
Hoodie AllenI try not to listen to a lot of music when I'm starting the recording process, because it can be so subtly influential.
Hoodie AllenI think the craziest thing I've seen is probably a fan sleeping overnight for two nights before a show, which was probably a bit excessive - they still probably could have been first either way! But I guess it turned into a really exciting, sort of, camping-out trip for them so it was cool.
Hoodie AllenAll songs have those X factors. I couldn't even explain or describe what will grab me about them but it's all music that I'm usually listening to. I'm always looking there to hear new music and see what's going on so that's usually when I'll hear something and be like "Wow, that melody is really crazy.
Hoodie AllenI've basically been able to do everything, I basically run my own career and the decisions I make - whether it's how I'm gonna roll out music, how I'm gonna play on tours, different strategies for releasing and marketing things - and that comes from being college educated and someone who's interested in that side of the business rather than only the music. If anything I think that's where the biggest direct influence comes from.
Hoodie Allen