I love the idea of making records that people can use, records that have a sense of utility.

There's something about the human brain, that it actually has a predilection towards negativity, which served us really well when we lived in an environment that was very threatening.

The most emotional part is when I go into my studio every day and pretty much never have an idea of what's gonna happen.

For years, my mom dated a man who was really active in the Baptist church in the town next to the town I grew up in, and so he used to drag me to these Baptist church services that lasted forever. I remember that I didn't like the church services, but I really liked the music.

There are some public figures who are very private and almost hide behind their work. I try to be as open as possible.

Britney [Spears]'s actually kind of like a broken-down shell of a human being, that's what makes her so endearing and compelling.

I need an audience way more than an audience needs me.