I would have been a geologist.

My idea of heaven is not writing.

I have, by nature, an analytical mind.

When I listen to my work, I think, what’s so inflammatory about it? It’s not really that dissonant. A lot of people who used to hate my stuff have come round to it.

I get some flak for and some resistance from colleagues for because I’m interested in storytelling. I mean what I like about songwriting is songs used to tell a story.

It’s pleasanter to work in the country, where you can wander out among the trees. But I don’t get as much work done. In the city you don’t want to leave the room because there’s all that chaos going on.

I was never much of a reader. I’m a slow reader, which is unusual, because I’m so into language and I love words so much. But it’s hard for me to read.

I don’t listen to recordings of my songs. I don’t avoid it, I just don’t go out of my way to do it.

I took piano lessons when I was 6. I didn’t want to go on with it. I don’t remember being moved by a piece of music.

I’m interested in the theater because I’m interested in communication with audiences. Otherwise I would be in concert music.