By the time you finish touring the record, everything that's exciting to me is what's ahead of me. I want to write the next paragraph.

I never want to listen to the songs in front of people close to me. There's an emotional honesty in that place where it's not earnest but it's vulnerable.

I'm definitely preoccupied by thinking I'm just a biological thing. I want to feel that there's more, but so often I'm reminded of how we're just like baboons, basically.

Music was my friend when I was a teenager, and I would inhabit and take comfort in lyrics. That's how I want to write.

I started growing roses. I enjoyed the craft of it and that they're difficult to look after; they can provide joy.

I like the fervor of religious music, the zealous aspect - that preachers can go from a conversational cadence into this passionate singing.

When you're making an album with people who made your favorite records as a rebellious teenager, it feels like you've achieved something.

You can get into a comfort zone writing lyrics, like wearing a mask. But I wanted to feel uncomfortable when I was listening back to the lyrics; I wanted to squirm.

I like simple writing. I'd rather read Hemingway than Burroughs.

I was definitely inspired by gospel music, or old-school R&B I got into some Good God gospel compilations.

I'm just worn down and weary of bands whose lyrics are cryptic and self-referential.

I was burdened with an ever-growing heart on the verge of decay. To save myself, I had to give many pieces of my love away. I hope I can give it all to someone, someday.

My feeling about work is that it's an unnecessary evil, so I've always done my best to avoid it.

The more loving we can be, the more powerful we become.

If someone chooses to live a certain way, and it doesn’t infringe on anyone’s freedom, it’s their choice to make.

If you see yourself as prosperous you will be. If you see yourself as continually hard up that is exactly what you will be.

Only the element of chance is needed to make war a gamble, and that element is never absent.

Contouring makes a huge difference in your bone structure! I don't do it every day, because when I'm not working, I like to keep my skin fresh.

Who despises all that is despicable is made to be impressed with all that is grand.

Don't be 'a writer'. Be writing.