"I think things like food, the food of the south is sort of the common tie that binds us all, Black and White, the sense memories. It's a very particular part of the country."

"I have a strong belief in God... I find religion to be a very personal thing... I am also very spiritual."

"No art form points like poetry to this originality of language as to its essential and abiding concern."

"Poetry is at the centre of my life, too, emotionally speaking, and intellectually speaking - it's just that I'm one of those people who enjoy doing other stuff as well."

"We live in an age where the artist is forgotten. He is a researcher. I see myself that way."

"I always thought of indie-rock as being rock music by bands that were on independent labels, and that's a great thing."