The reason I stop playing songs is usually because I get sick of them, and then they find themselves back into the set list at some point.
“The reason I stop playing songs is usually because I get … Read More
The nature of honesty is that if someone has information or knows something about you that you don’t want heard, then they have power over you.
“The nature of honesty is that if someone has information or … Read More
With a song, it only takes a couple of minutes to go back to the beginning and try it again to see if it works. The novel freaks me out because, what if you get into the eighth chapter and think, ‘Let’s go to the top and see if this works again? It’s going to take me three weeks.’ I’m in awe of that.
“With a song, it only takes a couple of minutes to … Read More
You never know when you put out an album that’s unique whether it’ll get beat up for it or not.
“You never know when you put out an album that’s unique … Read More
If you’re afraid they might discover your redneck past, there are a hundred ways to cover your redneck past.
“If you’re afraid they might discover your redneck past, there are … Read More
I’m not really a strange person or anything, so if there’s music I like, usually there’s other people who like it too.
“I’m not really a strange person or anything, so if there’s … Read More
The press is like any business. Its a group of really intelligent individuals that ends up being one slathering, one-eyed, drooling monster.
“The press is like any business. Its a group of really … Read More
What stupid f – king idiot gets married a second time if the first time didn’t work out?
“What stupid f – king idiot gets married a second time … Read More
My job is to be some sort of music/lyric psychic, to figure out that that’s the right song to not fight the lyric.
“My job is to be some sort of music/lyric psychic, to … Read More
In many ways, I’ve chosen to be plain, almost too plain, too self-effacing. Like, if I record a vocal and I don’t like the way it sounds, I would have them turn it up and take the reverb off it to make it as plain as possible.
“In many ways, I’ve chosen to be plain, almost too plain, … Read More
Why would I want to sound like Joni Mitchell? I’ve got Joni Mitchell records, and they’re great, and I couldn’t possibly be that good.
“Why would I want to sound like Joni Mitchell? I’ve got … Read More
There is still some art in pop music. But it can’t happen if you’re not inspired.
“There is still some art in pop music. But it can’t … Read More
If the melody is telling me this is what the song is about, then I’m sort of forced into confession, autobiography or fantasy. If I don’t do that, I’ve hamstrung the melody.
“If the melody is telling me this is what the song … Read More
My parents told me I must get married. I was seen as a failure if I didn’t do it.
“My parents told me I must get married. I was seen … Read More
Everything I write is personal, really. Even when I’m sarcastic, it’s quite personal. And on this record, from the production to the singing to the performances, I got it really honest. To the modern ear, it seems soft. When you hear it against other things, it seems vulnerable. Lyrically and musically, though, this is more subtle. And, yes, it’s asking a lot of someone who’s used to being hit over the head with bright neon to listen to this.
“Everything I write is personal, really. Even when I’m sarcastic, it’s … Read More
I’m older than I was, and I’m still washed-up, and I haven’t changed my music one iota. It’s just much easier to do this when people are being nice to you.
“I’m older than I was, and I’m still washed-up, and I … Read More
Rock and roll is – and should be – a kid’s place.
“Rock and roll is – and should be – a kid’s … Read More
I have manic energy. What can be done about it? I don’t know what to say sometimes. I’m professional in public, but I like to stay inside and be a hermit.
“I have manic energy. What can be done about it? I … Read More
It’s a tough thing to know that when you’re making your album, you’re going to end up collaborating with, say, Wal-Mart, on your artwork. That just sucks. And the pressure behind getting the numbers real fast is, to me, dizzying.
“It’s a tough thing to know that when you’re making your … Read More
I drink a lot, probably too much. My scene while writing lyrics is always a bottle of scotch and stacks of note cards, pencil and pencil sharpener. I throw around note cards and drink.
“I drink a lot, probably too much. My scene while writing … Read More