The first notes I still play when I start a sound check are classical. Those are my roots.

I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good.

I think I'm still a little too intense for my own good sometimes.

Every time I get up in the morning, melodies occur to me and I start trying to shape lyrics to melodies.

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

My favorite literature to read is fairly dry history. I like the framework, and my imagination can do the rest.

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.

Songwriters can sort of get away with murder. You can throw out crazy theories and not have to back it up with data or graphs or research.

All the folks I play with come from jazz backgrounds or at least appreciate spontaneity within the parameters of a pop song.

I am, in some sense, a writer. Even though I kinda downplay the word thing, I do enjoy writing sometimes.

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.

The biggest form of slavery is the slavery to fear

The most attractive force is a smile.

Wealth is all misery and sickness to the brain, try not to put yourself deep in it, it shall erase your humanity feelings.

When my son came into my life, my priorities changed, because I wanted to have the relationship with him, that I didn't have with my father.

If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshipped.

Lovers, when they are no longer in love, find it very hard to break up.

'We need to do more' is not very sophisticated thinking and not good sales management.

That's the best thing about writing, when you're in that zone, you're porous, ready to absorb the solution.

To enjoy and give enjoyment, without injury to yourself or others; this is true morality.

You never knew this, but I was in love. Okay, infatuated, but it felt like love at the time.