If you can make the song a soundtrack to what you're living at the time, I think that's the most important part of a song.

Lyrics are so important, I hate every second of writing them, but it's something I take great pride in when it's finished.

Indie record stores are as important to a touring musician as an incredible thrift store. I can't overstate how good it feels to place an original pressing of 'veedon fleece' in your most underused of shirts and pack it into your suitcase, anxiously awaiting the day you get home so that you can play it as though it was your reward or trophy from the long journey you had just finished embarking on.

I kind of like being depressed.

But as long as you're creating the art you want to create, if people start liking you, you shouldn't have to apologize. You want your stuff to be heard by as many people as possible.

I don't play an instrument - I just write in my head, and I usually hear fully formed songs. 'We Are Young' turned out so much like it was in my head. But it also exceeded all my expectations.

If I wasn't a musician I'd probably be like a meth addict.