I wasn't really writing anything that I felt was worth it at the end, but then certain things sparked me as a solo writer - to be able to try new things and experiment, and ultimately challenge myself as a performer and as a songwriter and just to commit to ideas, and not be afraid to be myself.

I like films that go a little more daring visually, and story-based stuff that usually reflects pretty closely to what real life is.

I write songs so that people can make them into what it means to them as well.

A true measure of success is just to work hard and get my music out there and just be myself and be real.

I'm not avoiding specifics, but I've always written songs from more of a global standpoint.

I think that a great song needs the full package. I think that a great song needs everything from lyrics, to melody, to music, and it needs to be interesting and it needs take you in and swallow you and swish you around, and then regurgitate you back in better form.

People can smell the bullshit and see through the curtains. People know when something's real and when something isn't, and when some dude really means what he's saying or singing, or when he doesn't.