Every time I get up in the morning, melodies occur to me and I start trying to shape lyrics to melodies. Andrew Bird More Quotes by Andrew Bird More Quotes From Andrew Bird Music as a social conduit has always been important to me. Andrew Bird important social I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good. Andrew Bird musician done fun I write a lot more when I'm happy, because you're hopeful, you're motivated. Andrew Bird motivated hopeful writing I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords. Andrew Bird chords fit writing Just don't let the human factor fail to be a factor at all Andrew Bird factors failing humans Playing the violin and singing and whistling are just three different ways of making sound. Andrew Bird singing different sound Guitars are kind of just, you know, sexy, especially old vintage ones. Andrew Bird vintage sexy guitar I think jazz was just seeking respect and validity because a lot of people didn't believe it was a viable art form, and then they got a lot of attention in Europe. A lot of bands that can't catch flies in the US have these followings in Europe, [but] it's less and less the case. American audiences are way more sophisticated and adventurous than anyone thinks that they are. Andrew Bird believe art thinking Honestly, I didn't have the patience for biology or history in an academic sense, but I always liked the kind of big questions. Andrew Bird biology academic kind I create little challenges for myself, like, 'Okay, whatever you do in this song, you've got to somehow work in Greek Cypriots,' or something like that. Andrew Bird greek challenges song A good espresso to me is a little bit salty; you just become used to a good taste. Anytime I go into a new place and they don't clean their machine properly or the water temperature isn't right, it tastes awful. Andrew Bird espresso machines water I'm just trying to get my body in shape so that I can handle it. It's a very physically demanding thing. I've been doing it for 16 years, so I know what I'm going into now. I'm trying to stay calm and not panic. Andrew Bird stay-calm trying years A day off after a show with no agenda in a foreign city is about the most fertile creative situation I can imagine. Just walking with nothing to do, killing time and hearing the sights and sounds of an unfamiliar place. Andrew Bird creative cities sight What you see with your eyes when you're making music is going to have a profound effect on what you hear. Andrew Bird music-is eye profound Well, my main instrument is violin, but I think of myself as a songwriter who happens to play violin. Andrew Bird violin play thinking The weirdest time is when I'm having to explain myself all day to journalists, and then I don't perform, so there's no release, just a lot of self-consciousness. Then what do you do with that at the end of the day? How do you release your brain from talking about yourself all day? Andrew Bird self brain talking The anti-aging advert that I would like to see is a baby covered in cream saying, 'Aah, I've used too much' Andrew Bird aging too-much baby Melodies are just honest. They can only be what they are. Words have the capacity for deception. Theyre all full of subtext, and some of them are cliche and overused and vernacular. Theyre tricky. All I can say is, words are tricky. Andrew Bird cliche honest deception I think when I was pretty young I got really into the tone of my instrument and I remember just playing one note for an hour to just kind of feel the resonance of the violin. Andrew Bird violin tone thinking I'm into lately being a little less precious about writing and being like, "Okay, what if I just locked myself in my room, pretend that there's someone outside with a gun that's saying, 'Don't come out until you write something.'" Andrew Bird what-if gun writing
