Many of the songs were written as a way of paying tribute to specific people, but in the end the songs took on a life of their own and I didn't worry about accuracy or biographical truth, so it's not a problem.

I'm always trying to push myself into unfamiliar places with the music, sometimes without success, I have to admit. But I'd rather be there than relying on a style that people recognize and want to follow.

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

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

Maybe in the future I'll put out someone's one-off project, but generally I don't have time.

Nina Simone was an entertainer. Bob Dylan was an entertainer. Anyone that can occupy a piece of music and make the air catch on fire at that moment is a true entertainer. That's how I view it. That's what I was meant to do. I love doing it. That's why I'm on earth.

Playing an old record doesn't interest me at all. It's exactly the opposite of what I want to do.