113 Quotes by Chris Thile

Tradition matters. To me it's not a limiting force; it's a springboard.

Coffee is pretty big in my life. It shows up in my lyrics a bunch, the same way the ocean does. It's a constant force.

I think, until I was 16, classical music had just seemed like a little bit of a rhythmic wasteland for me. Coming from bluegrass, where one conducts oneself rhythmically, it seemed like such a different approach, and at that point the difference that I was noticing was a real turn off to me.

I am an incorrigible coffee geek. I make espresso.

There are two genres of music: there's good music and there's bad music.

I'll often order a cortado and stand there quizzing the poor barista about the extraction time, how much pressure they are applying and how many grams are in it. I am that guy. It's reprehensible to the max, but it's how I go through my life.

I'm really not handy. I'm not good at things like changing a light bulb. If something is broken, the chances of me being able to fix it are slim to none.

The goal of serious musicians is to play outside of yourself. That's most likely with people who suggest things that are outside your musical experience.

I'm slow by nature; even if I write something fast, I'll let it sit for a month and hem and haw over it.