I have a real dog-like mentality, in that it's like, 'Where is my next meal coming from? Am I ever gonna eat again? Will I ever write another song again? Will anyone show up for tour?' I think it comes from being really poor as a kid.

I would be a huge hypocrite if I didn't tell you that at one time in my life I thought the way that you made music was you got on a major label and you got famous.

The most tender place in my heart is for strangers. I know it's unkind, but my own blood is much too dangerous.

I tried to have more than one emotion on the record.

I have this typical Ukrainian face. Even people who know my music don't recognize me most of the time, thank God.

I have a hard time taking myself seriously. My band the New Pornographers doesn't take me seriously, which is why I love them. We can't stand up there and pretend. What we're doing is really important to me and it's my job and I love it, but I can't just stand there unflinchingly noble in front of the audience.

All I want to do is sing on other people's records.