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American folk songs were about tragedy, right? They were about suffering and tragedy, and a lot of my songs are about that, even though they were misunderstood.

The most despairing songs are the most beautiful, and I know some immortal ones that are pure tears.

I like singer-songwriters, and I find sad songs comforting rather than depressing. It makes you realise you're not alone in the world.

I'm not a morose person; it's just that my best songs reflect on the sadder aspects of life.

I think a lot of songwriters would agree that it's often easier to find inspiration in misery.

I don't think of my songs as sad songs. I think of them as vulnerable and honest. I crack jokes in between songs, so people don't leave feeling too dark.

I like tragedies, whether they're sci-fi or something else, but I can't say I know much about any genre in particular.

Nobody thinks mystery writers go around killing people, but they always seem to assume singers are singing about themselves, especially if you write melancholy songs like me.