I like acting when I can pick my own roles, and I do. It's fun. I like being creative, and it's a creative process. Art Alexakis More Quotes by Art Alexakis More Quotes From Art Alexakis My frustration has always been that I'm a Christian, but I don't buy into, never have bought into, the belief that Jesus and God are these men who just dictate that this is how you have to live your life or you are going to burn in hell. Art Alexakis frustration christian jesus I'm a pretty tenacious person; I get that from my mom. So sometimes, I use dark humor. I can't take myself too seriously. Art Alexakis mom use dark Any artist manages his own business along with his manager. Every band should. Art Alexakis band artist should My favorite drive is Highway 101 in California between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. I love the 101; Highway 1 is too windy, and 5 is too boring - the 101 is just right. It's like the Mama Bear of scenic drives. Art Alexakis mama california bears Being a child that grew up with a single mom back in the 70s, Fathers Day to me was always a very uncomfortable time. At school, we would make Fathers Day cards for our dads, and I usually mailed one to my dad, and he hardly ever responded. Art Alexakis fathers-day dad mom Success to me is being able to do what I love, make a living at it and to support myself and the ones I love. Art Alexakis support able So, if you see me stumbling... sweaty, looking both tired and anxious at the same time, maybe a little more confused than usual, or forgetting lyrics yet looking happy( which is weird for me), please know that I have not fallen off the wagon, i am just learning how to be the new me. Art Alexakis entertainment I have my dark side like anybody, you know, depression, anxiety... and I write about gritty, real-life stuff. Art Alexakis you anxiety dark depression When some people get angry, they turn into victims, but when I get angry, I turn to action. Art Alexakis some-people angry action people One of the things about being a boy, especially growing up without a father, is you really don't have that role model to teach you how to do things. Art Alexakis boy you growing-up father I'm a 50-year-old guy making music for over 20 years. I've been writing songs since I was 20, so it's really been 30 years, and it's always been personal, but I've always told stories. Art Alexakis personal always music writing Being a musician, especially at the major label where you work for so long, it becomes a cycle. Write a record, make a record, tour. It's just this cycle, and I don't think there's any life built into it with time to assimilate what's going on in front of you and what's going on in your head. Art Alexakis you work time life I lived in Portland for almost 20 years, and that's where my eldest daughter went to college. I missed the sunshine. I grew up in L.A. Art Alexakis missed sunshine daughter college I still fall back a lot on my Les Paul, and there is just no getting away from a Les Paul and a hot pickup. Art Alexakis just back hot fall I'm not a politician. I'm not running for office. I can say what I think. Art Alexakis say think i-can office I like people who tell stories. I like storytellers. A lot of my songs are misconceived as being auto-biographical when they're not because I write in the first person. Art Alexakis person being like people I'm constantly working, even when I'm at home. Art Alexakis constantly working even home I do like my sugar at night, but I try to keep it to a minimum. Art Alexakis try like sugar night I saw Cheap Trick play 'In Color,' and it was awesome. Art Alexakis awesome cheap color play As a songwriter, I do kind of look at 'Santa Monica' as a thing outside of itself, because it isn't just my song. This is a song a lot of people tell me is a part of their high school or college years. That means a lot to me. Art Alexakis look me song people