Lyric writing is an interesting process in Sonic Youth. There's three people writing now, and we've all had a lot of interest and involvement with expression through words

Each member does whatever they want with the song and it totally changes it from whatever idea I hear around it. It turns it into a Sonic Youth song and completely away from it being a solo song.

Buddhism has become a socially recognized religious philosophy for Americans, whereas it used to be considered an exotic religion.

I certainly don't sit around in the morning making pancakes listening to Whitehouse or anything.

I never go back and listen to the recorded document. The thrill comes when the balance can be attained. Everyone in the room can have a shared, communal rock experience.

Rock'n'roll saved my soul.

Every now and again, the alternative culture is cherished by the mainstream for what it is, rather than how it should be, like the mainstream popular music.

I have to reign myself in a lot.

Hits are for squares.

I never do releases to try and make or break some contemporary band.

The band has a liberal philosophy - that's sort of a given.

Pray always for grace and strength.

Laughter is sweet when enjoyed alone. But it becomes sweeter when you enjoy it together with the people around you. Your success must lead to the success others.

I thought Candy Mountain was a real place

Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase.

Take full account of the excellencies which you possess and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them if you had them not.

I have a visual imagination.

Be content to remember that those who can make omelettes properly can do nothing else.

Even the most elitist director or author who claims that he doesn't care if his works are seen or not, then I have to think that he's either a liar or a hypocrite.

Acting is not my language at all.

There is no such thing as talent. What they call talent is nothing but the capacity for doing continuous work in the right way.