When I start writing songs, and they come easily, I'm always very suspicious. That usually means they're reminding me of something I've already done before. When the songs become unsettling, and I feel anxious about what I'm doing, that usually means it's going to be more interesting later on when we actually record the stuff.

I'm not saying this in a condescending kind of way, but it's quite simple: The making of America was a heroic thing. Australia has a much murkier, much more complex view of its history. It's just full of all these open wounds we don't really know what to do with.

I always thought my records were number one; it's just the charts didn't think so.

I have to be able to see the thing that's going on that I'm writing about, or else it just doesn't make any sense to me.

There's always pain around. That's one thing you can guarantee in life - there will always be a surplus of pain.

I used to believe that if I could do certain things - write a book or be a successful musician - that I'd be transformed into a happy person, but it doesn't work that way.

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