A significant event for me was learning Hank Williams, reconnecting with his music's simplicity, which inspired me to inhabit the same territory. It's different, because I grew up on Led Zeppelin, The Stooges and punk, so in that sense I'm mutating country and folk more than a few degrees.

The past is filled with people who aren't traditionally thought of as fantastic singers singing these songs that capture people; songs like 'Louie Louie.' I just aim toward that, and I think I've gotten better at it.

I've always related music to those moments when someone turns you loose on something and they haven't told you how to do it.

I'm in a rock band - I don't have a day job! I am spoiled... a lot.

What I remember as a child is that other kids didn't care about suffering. I always did.

I think some parents fall into a trap, teaching their kids that everything is always perfect and everyone is always a winner.

All my cousins steal things. They're just a bunch of thieves. My whole family is like that. You put something down for a second, and they steal it. You never see it again.

I think that, any young child or teenager, you take a lot from your parents when you're growing up.