I think that the current climate enables a lot of musicians to do relatively well. Twenty-five years ago, you could be a bass player in a folk-rock band and do pretty well - that sort of means that you're going to have to go get a day job. But a lot of my friends have learned how to write classical music for movies and produce other people and do remixes, and DJ and go on tour, and do all these different things. The more diverse their approach, the better their chances of actually having a career.

When I was growing up, albums were my closest friends, as sad as that may sound - Joy Division's 'Closer,' or Echo and the Bunnymen's 'Heaven Up Here'... I had a more intimate relationship with those records than I did with most of the people in my life.

I've dated attractive people and I don't find a correlation between amorous enthusiasm and beauty and public figure status.

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

I know it's simple, but my main inspiration is just my love of music. I know that sounds overly naive. But it's true.

No one wants to be hated, in public, by lots of people.

I find myself for whatever reason unable to live in the apartment I renovate and have to sell.