Lyrics are really important for me.

Those times when I play on stage in front of lots of people, it’s such an unusual and borderline unhealthy process, even though I love it and I really do it with humility. I don’t have serfs getting me grapes after, or things like that.

It’s pretty hard to make out what’s going to be a commercial success and what’s not.

As an artist, you’re pretty sheltered backstage. You often don’t know what’s going on out there.

I quite like Low, the band from Minnesota. They’re absolutely mesmerizing. I get much the same feeling from anything that Will Oldham does.

I don’t see myself as the boss. I sing and write the songs, and it would feel strange if somebody else wrote the lyrics I sang.

Women are part of the reason for washing and keeping clean, aren’t they?

I love playing live, I don’t like studios all that much. I need the reaction of the audience.

It’s so natural you just fall into it and you find your way. It’s terrifying and exciting, and brilliant.

I don’t know any musician who got to the top without hard work. Take whoever you want. They all work bloody hard, harder than you think.