I want to build a treehouse village connected by bridges in the woods by my house so my friends have a place to stay.

The people of Iowa are a rare breed.

There's a weird period of learning how to play guitar where your fingers are constantly messed up a handful.

You have to have a vision and know that it's worth seeing it through. Other than that, just be true to your heart.

I think every tour stop on the west coast is equally rewarding for me. There is something healing about the air and the light in the west.

When I was 17 I got a guitar for my birthday and started discovering Bob Dylan and James Taylor and the whole '60s thing, and that made me want to make songs, to go beyond just playing an instrument. I needed to write I guess.

There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem to be born out of that, and the fact that it's still a mystery to me is my favorite part.