“I love anything by Tchaikovsky. He was the real pop star of his day.” — Sufjan Stevens

Musicians are often asked to answer for an entire culture, or for an entire movement. It's a process of commodification. It becomes packaged and summarized in a word like 'emo' or 'grunge'... or 'folk music.' I think that's just language itself, trying to understand the mysteries of the world.

In third grade, I had to an oral report on the state of Oregon. I brought up Big Foot sightings, and I remember there was an argument about whether or not Big Foot was valid history. Ever since then I've been thinking about how subjective history is.

I come from a folk tradition where you just dance however you feel comfortable.

I always hated 'O Holy Night.' It's so operatic and overwrought.