Children aren't born with the techniques of democratic problem solving, but they are born with one of its key components - the desire to speak out...and that's where the struggle for democracy begins.

I just remember music always being a part of my life. I was never like, I'm gonna be a rock star, or I'm gonna be in a band. It was more I just play piano, and I'm always going to play piano. That's who I am and that's cool. I think music became so ingrained in me that it was not even my choice.

A lot of loud people have been talking over the years they have these huge voices but don't say much. I'm sure there are a lot of really quiet people who have a lot more intelligent things to say than the loud people.

I do like choral music a lot, the voice is a pretty strong instrument - out of all the instruments, it's the most intimate. There's nothing you can do about it, it just feels so good when you hear a bunch of voices sing together.

Everybody always wants to meet musicians. You can go to any random bar around the world and be like, I'm a musician, and they'll have something to say to you. It's kind of this weird passport where you can go around and as soon as you say you're a musician, you're welcome.

A backyard for me is more being with the people around you, your friends. I think that's what defines your home not your actual, physical home. When you travel a lot, what makes you feel at home is when your friends whom you know really well are there, your girlfriend.

When you go away for a month on tour, there's only so much information you can take in. You're traveling city by city every day. I think five of the 30 days you actually keep with you and the rest becomes mush. And when you get back you're really mushy.