I'm good with telling people what I think, too, but I don't know why people are so content to treat each other poorly.

There's a certain fear of simplicity. I think that's the thing when you're younger as an artist you get this idea in your head that complexity equals quality. The more notes you're playing, the better.

When you make art, you get really invested in it. When art happens by accident and you were just along for the ride? It's way more fun.

I always thought 'Stump' was kind of like, you dropped something on your foot. It's not the most exotic rock-star name.

I was talking to my grandpa last Thanksgiving. He pulled me aside and was like, "This Thanksgiving is the 150th for the Vaughn family in Chicago." I was like, "Cool, whatever," but I think when you have a culture like that, you should have a real appreciation for it. My family's been there forever and I don't want to leave.

I really like pop music, I don't think it's a four-letter word.

I'm really attracted to music that sort of toes that line between pop and avant-garde, that pushes the envelope of what you can get in a pop song.