In the past, I had this open-door policy where everyone was invited. And that was awesome, but you end up releasing songs that you don't really like and justifying it in your head.

When the Internet came along, the first thing I did was look up Wu-Tang so I could print out their symbol and glue it onto my skateboard.

I might have some delusions of grandeur.

As anthropomorphic and surreal people have said my early writing was, to me it was really stock and almost banal in the sense that it was just description, the poetry of comparing: 'Your feet are like A, and your eyes like B.'

I can't tell you how many times I've had a friend tell me, in this tender and discreet voice, 'It's just you and me bro, and I want to tell you the truth: make a record of you and an acoustic guitar. Please. That's what everybody actually likes.' That's so funny to me.

I try to listen to as much as possible. I know some people really try to avoid music when they're writing and recording, but I am very inspired by so many different musicians, and I need to learn.

I sit around and try to play along to certain songs that I really love. It helps you explore new territory.

I want to do a record with Adam Green of all German schlager songs.

Grizzly Bear's 'Knife' is one of the best videos of all time - everything Encyclopedia Pictura has done is really incredible.

This is my definition of selling out: When you change what you do or do what you do as a reaction to someone else's expectations or lack of expectations.

Something I practice everyday is Tonglin. It's Tibetan for taking and receiving.

Leigh Bowery is a legend. Everybody loves Leigh Bowery. Everybody should love Leigh Bowery.

R. Kelly is my favorite singer.

In the next life what would my career be? Oh, easy. Dried persimmon dealer.

No one's fearless. We're all full of fear. But can your fear guide you or lean into it, embrace it.

My gadabout days are over.

Generally, I can't really do much without music playing - even writing or thinking. Peace and quiet means putting on a song.

My interested in Brazilian music stemmed from wanting to find a musical identity other than the salsa and meringue that I was inundated with in Venezuela as a child.

It's all about sensitivity. If you have sensitivity then mysticism will be part of your life.

Of all my childhood books, 'The Giving Tree and Hope for the Flowers' really did change my early world, but after reading 'Momo' in my 30s, I thought, Ahhhhhh, this is the one book I wish I had read as a kid! Then reread at every subsequent chapter of my life.

Well, love is a difficult thing to hold on to. It's a slippery little beast. It will hold you and then it will elude you at any moment.

I've always thought it'd be nice to be seaweed, kind of just floating about.

If you're ever wondering what to wear, just dress like a pumpkin, you're good to go.

Well I am a Gemini.