Mark Lanegan

I just sort of do what comes natural.

It took me quite a while to find my natural voice. I'm glad I stuck around long enough to see that happen.

Talking about myself is difficult for me. It's anti my true nature.

I'm not a human interest story, man. I'm just a musician trying to make some small records and be happy, be peaceful.

Yeah, well, I guess Andy Williams would be considered by some to be schmaltzy, but to me, he's one of the greatest singers of all time. Just absolutely amazing. And if anyone doesn't believe me, just YouTube him. He's just one of a kind.

When I was a kid, I got caught shoplifting by a store security guard in Ellensburg. The next time I saw that store guard was when I got thrown in jail again - this time for not paying court fees. The guy happened to be in jail, too, right next to me. That's what Eastern Washington is like - you never get too far away from anybody.

It's hard not to respect Kobe Bryant's game: He's one of the all-time greats.

I don't really take time off between records; it's a compulsion for me.

Usually I get asked to do stuff that's cool, and if I ever can't do something, it's usually, because of logistics, I don't have the time for it. Rarely do I get ask to do something that I'd rather not do. I usually do it if I feel that it's something I can do.

When I do something, I do it for the specified amount of time, and then I do something else.

The guys who spend their time brooding in their younger years either lighten up or go away.

If Brian Eno wanted to make a record, I'd definitely clear some time in my calendar. John Cale, too. Those guys consistently make great records, always doing their own thing.