I don't really listen to my old stuff, but on occasion, I would either hear a track on the radio or a friend might play me one, and there was generally a bit of an edgy sound to it, which was mainly due to the digital equipment that we were using, which was state of the art at the time - and I think everyone felt pressured to be working that way.

Comedy is a very big part of the English culture, the sense of humor; it's a very dominant trait.

Maybe if my songs feel personal, that's very nice. I like that. I take that as a great compliment.

When I'm writing I've been playing something for a couple of hours and I'm almost in a trance. At two or three in the morning you can actually see bits of inspiration floating about and grab them.

Normally I don't compromise at all but it felt important to give that song the chance to be heard.

Whatever is going on in your life when you're writing has to somehow seep into your work.

My father was always playing the piano. He played all kinds of music - Gershwin, all kinds of stuff. He was really a hugely encouraging force to me when I was little.