Mark Lanegan

I wanted 'Imitations' to be a fully realized record from start to finish, with a cohesive sound and a sequence that took you from one song to the other, just like I would with a record of original stuff.

In real life, I'm far more lighthearted than I come across on the records.

I'm open to life.

When they're listening to your music all the time, you become part of their life, and some people get obsessed.

I have to have animals. They really make life worth living, and my world actually revolves around them. They know exactly when it's time to get up, exactly when they're supposed to get their food, and they let you know. Mine are right there in my face, first thing every morning.

I can't say what people use the experience of listening to songs for, but I would never tell somebody what it is supposed to mean. That defeats the purpose of making it. Hopefully, whoever connects with it connects with it in their own way, and it can mean whatever it is supposed to mean to them.

In 2005, I worked as a scenic painter for a while when I was taking a break from music.

Have I tried a black pudding? I'll eat anything - I'm not finicky - but that's not to say it takes any courage to eat black puddings because I find them delicious.

I like to fool myself into thinking that whatever happens is OK.

When I'm listening to music for pleasure, I'm gonna listen to someone else's music.

I grew up in a small, rural community, where my extended family were mountain-folk type people, and some were very religious.

Hanging out with the Trees is like hanging out with your family, and I hardly ever see my family.