I'm more interested in pulling out strands of joy from both myself and the audience. I'm not saying the music or songs are "light," just that when they're performed with the correct commitment it's a source of real pleasure, for me anyway.

I really wanted to get to the animal core of rock music and eliminate anything that wasn't necessary.

I got involved, for the most part, in the actual song construction, lyrics even. I didn't want to write the lyrics, but if there was a howler in there, I definitely pointed it out. Just trying to bring it up to a higher level. Of course, after a couple records, people get fed up with that. That's fine.

I don't want to sound like everybody else.

I'm pretty confident that people are going to come along for the ride. If they don't, tough.

Swans are majestic, beautiful looking creatures. With really ugly temperaments.

I have my own record company. I have to answer to God, basically. I'm not young, so I want to make the best possible work I can before I exit.