183 Quotes by Andrew Bird

Melodies are just honest. They can only be what they are. Words have the capacity for deception. Theyre all full of subtext, and some of them are cliche and overused and vernacular. Theyre tricky. All I can say is, words are tricky.

I've always been fascinated and stared at maps for hours as a kid. I've especially been most intrigued by the uninhabited or lonelier places on the planet. Like Greenland, for instance, or just recently flying over Alaska and a chain of icy, mountainous islands, uninhabited.

Sometimes I think I don't have much choice in the matter. It's just what happens, and I'm following my instincts the whole time.

I guess I'm attracted to more archaic words because they can be imbued with more meaning, because their definition is elusive.

The anti-aging advert that I would like to see is a baby covered in cream saying, 'Aah, I've used too much'

No, it's not dissatisfaction that inspires me to tinker with my songs, it's just restlessness.

I just pay attention to what's in my head. That's my number-one rule.

I think when I was pretty young I got really into the tone of my instrument and I remember just playing one note for an hour to just kind of feel the resonance of the violin.

If something gets under my own skin, and keeps reoccurring, it starts to take on a certain weight and value, and I think, "I have to put this in the song. I have no choice but to mention Greek Cypriots in this song." It's a little internal challenge to myself. Like creating little imaginary rituals in yourself to help the song go from nonexisting to existing.