I idolised bands like Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins, who wanted to reach as many people as they could.

I was signed at 19 years old to a major label, and dropped by the time I was 22.

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.

My girlfriend is a fashion designer. She has her own company called Rachel Antonoff. She is doing a collaboration with Urban Outfitters right now, a shoe collaboration with Bass. She sells to Barneys, stuff like that.

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.

In a city like New York, any night can be completely different, even in a subtle way.

There’s always some level of optimism in every single song.