To my undying shame, I do read reviews. I don't read them all, but I like to get some kind of idea how things are going.

Anything that I'm doing I'm writing specifically for a particular project.

An artist's duty is rather to stay open-minded and in a state where he can receive information and inspiration. You always have to be ready for that little artistic Epiphany.

The more information you have, the more human our heroes become and consequently the less mysterious and godlike. They need to be godlike.

I'm very happy to hear that my work inspires writers and painters. It's the most beautiful compliment, the greatest reward. Art should always be an exchange.

Love songs come in many guises and are seemingly written for many reasons – as declarations or to wound – I have written songs for all of these reasons – but ultimately the love songs exist to fill, with language, the silence between ourselves and God, to decrease the distance between the temporal and the divine.

People think I'm a miserable sod but it's only because I get asked such bloody miserable questions.