I think that's becoming more and more of a priority, letting other aspects of life take precedent over making music, or just approaching the whole thing more holistically.

I don't really hang out with anyone. I'll hang out with my band ... but I don't have any friends aside from that.

I was raised up believing I was somehow unique.

The notes sound like they're coming from inside your mind... It was the closest thing to a psychedelic experience I've ever had.

I'm looking forward to doing things more intuitively in the future, just going with whatever happens and not immediately categorizing it as potentially good or bad or original or whatever.

The lyrics to me are a result of the emotional and creative climate present while making the record as well as personally going through a sort of mid-twenties stock-taking.

Every time you pick up an instrument, it's not always out of necessity - for a certain kind of person, it's a choice.

You want to think about certain styles of music as being reflective of a certain culture or a certain time or a point of view. You don't want it to be just an intellectual exercise.

I don't know that we're really going to need a label for the things we're thinking about doing next.

Sometimes I do get writer's block but it's more of a writer's doubt - I'll try and write but nothing goes anywhere because I start thinking everything sucks.

As far as the music being inspired by Seattle, I think it's in some of the songs. Seattle is a really beautiful place in the right light, it's perched on a pretty unique geographic setting.

When I talk about secularism, I'm talking about theories today. To give you for example, one example: Those who consider themselves followers of Mosaddeq today are adamantly against federalism.

Don't be ashamed of your own ideas. Most musicians get applauded for sounding like someone else.

It was like Elvis came along and whispered some dream in everybody's ear

It is my biggest fear, something happening to a child, your child, is unfathomable.

Touring with Brian May was like a dream come true that happened early in my career. He inspired me with the way he harmonized and layered his guitar sounds.

I think I'm a weird combination of deeply introverted and very daring. I can feel both those things working.

Life is what's going on while your making other plans.

The way I portrayed the people is accurate. Because they're human beings and we have a kind of wonderful capacity to be absurd and ridiculous.

We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think.

The English, the plain English, of the politest address of a gentleman to a lady is, I am now, dear Madam, your humble servant: Pray be so good as to let me be your Lord and Master.