I come from a family who prided themselves, both sides, on memory. And I was told growing up, constantly, that I was born with a really good memory.

I've been really fortunate that I've been at a lot of critical crossroads in my musical journey. When I look back, there are some pretty interesting things to look at.

There is an extraordinary collaborative spirit when you are learning and growing.

A lot of times when you're making a record, you put your head down and charge forward until you're done. You just hope that the ideas hold up, because you're kind of lost in your own storm.

As a kid, I learned from my parents, teachers, coaches, and friends that what mattered most was Truth - to uncover it, share it and fight for it. That core value is the foundation of the American Dream. And my life has been about fighting for Truth, at every step.

I never went to school for writing, never took a writing class, but when you're in a room with David Simon and Ed Burns and Dennis Lehane and Richard Price, and they're going over something you've written, you learn what works and what doesn't.

Learning music by reading about it is like making love by mail.

I have a very healthy dose of scepticism towards what identity is and what personas are, maybe because of my life journey. Identity is something so malleable.