But at this phase of my life, I want to write and not have to think about whether a song is going to be a hit. I want to explore the music that inspires me, and I don't want to ape myself.

Who you are as a performer is one thing, but when you're making records, you're dealing with musicians' tastes, their goals, their wants, their needs, everyone's individual pride.

Dead fish don't swim around in jealous tides.

Great classic music that I've been turned on to has not only inspired and influenced me, but it has had an effect on my songwriting.

It's a beautiful thing to be that committed to something that you get so much joy from, but it is like a sick addiction, because sometimes it's incredibly volatile, incredibly painful, and very frustrating. A man shouldn't be defined by his work, but I am.

When you're really looking forward to something, you don't feel the sense of pressure.

I can't read sheet music, I have to just listen to it, and then just go for it.