Yannis Philippakis quotes:

I like simple writing. I'd rather read Hemingway than Burroughs.

I was definitely inspired by gospel music, or old-school R&B; I got into some Good God gospel compilations.

I like the fervor of religious music, the zealous aspect - that preachers can go from a conversational cadence into this passionate singing.

I never want to listen to the songs in front of people close to me. There's an emotional honesty in that place where it's not earnest but it's vulnerable.

You can get into a comfort zone writing lyrics, like wearing a mask. But I wanted to feel uncomfortable when I was listening back to [the lyrics]; I wanted to squirm.

I started growing roses. I enjoyed the craft of it and that they're difficult to look after; they can provide joy.

I'm definitely preoccupied by thinking I'm just a biological thing. I want to feel that there's more, but so often I'm reminded of how we're just like baboons, basically.

I'm just worn down and weary of bands whose lyrics are cryptic and self-referential.

Music was my friend when I was a teenager, and I would inhabit and take comfort in lyrics. That's how I want to write.

When you're making an album with people who made your favorite records as a rebellious teenager, it feels like you've achieved something.