All I know for sure is that issues like race, like class, are always best approached with compassion and open-mindedness.
If kids and teenagers can get into a band, its probably not because they think its brainy.
No part of Manhattan these days really has the same vibe I get from a Ramones song or a Velvet Underground song.
Making every record is a process full of tough times.
In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.
I’m pretty sure that the Walkmen are the band that I’ve paid to see the most in my life.
I’m a huge fan of the Bay Area so I always love coming to San Francisco.
I still to this day get the most inspiration from rap lyrics.
I still think that if you’re excited about something, you have to work at it.
I like how Ralph Lauren creates a mystical world through his clothing.
As an artist you have the luxury of maybe presenting an issue in a certain way, as opposed to actually solving it.
My dad has a really great record collection that basically went up to the year I was born: 1984.
Rapping and singing are not two polar opposites. There’s so much middle ground. And I think there’s a lot of people who find that middle ground.
Growing up listening to rap music, you almost feel like you should have haters. That’s an important part of being a successful musician. It’s a good thing, I guess.
Musicals don’t get enough credit for being so surreal. It’s like an alternate universe...
For you to be able to take a picture of yourself that you feel good enough about to share with the world – I think that’s a great thing.
Well, growing up in the ’90s, my first true love was ska music.
There aren’t that many people walking about who are a total class stereotype.
It’s cool to have instruments lying around because they give you different ideas.
I do think sometimes there’s danger in guest appearance mania. I’ve seen too many examples that sound cool on paper, like ‘Oh, get that guy to sing the hook on that guy’s song,’ and then that’s all it is. It’s a cool idea that sounds good on paper.
Playing Tetris for 15 minutes is like meditation.