Often when I find myself listening to music, at least 60 to 70% of it is foreign, so I don't understand a word of it. Melody to me will always be a million times more important than words.

I think that sonically, music speaks volumes more than words do, and I have always thought that and will continue to think that for the rest of my life.

My thought with harmonies and melodies in general, is that if it doesn't come right away then it's never going to come at all.

I felt like I needed to get a few side projects out of my system before I settled in to do the new record. Usually what's asked of you, everything's a year cycle. When you get caught up in that cycle, it can be kind of brutal, actually. It was good I got to take a year off, with no pressure coming from anywhere.

You always know when a real inspiration is behind the melody, arrangements, even lyrics. And I know that's really vague, but it's true.

When a city is unstimulating, you get pretty isolated.

I tend to hear rhythm and melody, chord-progressions, long before I hear words.