We sort of quickly realized every rhythm, Opetaia [Foa'i] takes the lead.

If you think in terms of topping, you're in the wrong business. You can't think that way.

The fact that I'm a performer helps me enormously as a lyricist.

I got to fall in love. I got to win a war. I got to write words that inspired a nation.

I think I learned more about writing scores for Broadway by making mix tapes in the '90s than I did in college. You're learning about rise and fall and energy and tempo shifts. You're showing off your taste and your references. You're trying to be witty by - through placement of music you didn't write.

I read reviews, I'm not going to lie to y'all. Like you know, I'll read 'em, but then, the next day I'm able to sort of shrug them off. But if something sort of sticks the next day, there's probably something to it. I just sort of really try to trust my gut on, on all that stuff.

My kid gets me out of bed in the morning.