Some cities are really boring and straight.

If people can finally recognize you on radio without being told who it is, thats what you aim for.

I had a feeling about what I wanted to say, and I wasn't really qualified to discuss real things out of America because I didn't grow up there.

I seem to attract and be attracted to very willful, fascinating people.

I'm not interested in trying to have people who might like other kinds of music follow me. I don't want to please them.

Growing up in public is a test, and not many people know how to do it.

Guitars have been the obsession of my life. I first picked one up at the age of four and Ive been a guitar junkie ever since.

Coming from a working-class background, where my father did manual labor, was a good grounding; I was obsessed with getting a job or getting out of the house at 15.

Joining Modest Mouse was just consistent with what I used to do as a teenager: I followed where I thought I would make some interesting music.

I never took fans for granted. I always assumed subconsciously that people who followed what I did were just people who were kind of like me.

The biggest musical influence on me was my mum. We were both enraptured by music.

Just when you think it can't get any worse, it can. And just when you think it can't get any better, it can.

When the sky is fully covered by the birds, you will feel the winds of pure freedom beneath this sky!

Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.

The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weather is that which is woven of conviction.

Art challenges technology, but technology inspires the art.

That's how we like to play basketball, is be physical down there in the paint and force teams to the perimeter.

The guys I tended to date, you know, didn't necessarily have it altogether but I had a great time.

Assassination on the scaffold is the worst form of assassination.

Diplomacy is letting someone else have your way.

Nothing worth learning can ever be taught