I listen to the far left which informs the far right. Somewhere in the middle is where we end up.

I am not opposed to doing a side project, like Death Cab for Cutie, where it's completely different from my own band.

When I moved to L.A., I was penniless, absolutely beyond broke and in debt up to my eyeballs.

Writing songs is about trying to connect with people on a deeper spiritual level - but I'm not a fan of contemporary Christian music.

I knew I could make money from songwriting, so how much and when was not really the question.

Nobody works harder than Lady Gaga. Nobody. She is unbelievable. I don't know how she sleeps, or when or if.

I started selling corn dogs, ended up in the music industry. That's how it all started.