I think there's a certain numbness in modern society, that accepts certain kinds of violence, but represses other kinds of violence.

The work ethic at art school is completely different than the work ethic amongst people who get into music. People who paint, it's an honorable thing to spend all day and all night in front of your canvas - that is the romantic vision of the painter.

'Inspiration' is a word used by people who aren't really doing anything.

The writer who refuses to explore the darker regions of the heart will never be able to write convincingly about the wonder, the magic and the joy of love for just as goodness cannot be trusted unless it has breathed the same air as evil.

When you've been initiated, you can stand in the world differently. And I think it is up to all of us, we can have cheerleaders, we can have supporters, but it comes down to us as individuals, how do we now proceed? Do we have the tools to proceed?

You can't trust an artist that just makes good records.

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.