We should not let negative influences get to us.

Normally the meaning of the songs, if there is any, occurs to me after I've written the song.

World music evokes a feeling. You don't have to think about the scene that it comes from.

Sometimes it's just the creative intent of an artist or band that inspires me. I'm generally drawn to artists or bands that put themselves out on a limb somewhat and do something that infuriates both the mainstream and the indie purists, but that can't necessarily be classed as either. To me it seems somewhat convenient to be on either end of that scale.

When I'm writing, those ideas are seldom inspired by music itself. I won't often listen to an artist and come up with an idea.

Trying to be really dark and alienating just felt exhausting to me, so I started going back to the music that I grew up with, whether it was African music or pop music. It took me away from being overly self-conscious about what I was doing.

We need to understand that there is a process of learning and experience and success will stem from this. The painting represents life and the brushstroke represents the steps we take in life.