Life is always surprising to me. When you think it's going to get dull, it never really does.
From Conor Oberst
When I was younger, I was somewhat of an idealist. I guess I'm a little bit more of a realist now. I think there's a lot that can be done to make the world a better place, but it's more about choosing your battles.
I have on many occasions spoken my mind from stage. I have offered organizations table space by the merch booth. I have donated a dollar-a-ticket, or the entire guarantee, to different causes. I have registered voters. I have played on behalf of political candidates.
When I try to explain to people the big influences in my life, or at least when I first started, the most important ones were my friends who were also writing songs and were typically four or five years older than me.
I have a terrible memory in general, but one thing I've always been able to remember is my songs.
I kind of go in waves with reading. Sometimes I read all the time, and sometimes I can't get settled enough to focus.
The first music I ever got into was the '80s alternative bands that my brother listened to, like The Cure and The Smiths and R.E.M. and Fugazi. I can remember specifically saying The Cure was my favorite band back in second grade.
You can do a lot to shape the feeling of a song by the way you record it.
I was raised Catholic, and I have an aversion to anyone who takes religion to the extreme.
One of my favorite modern American authors is Denis Johnson. I'm deeply inspired by all of his work - I rip him off constantly.
8 perspectives
4 perspectives
3 perspectives
1 perspectives