Top 18 Quotes by J. Tillman

I had this revelation, you are a lot better at the between-song stuff than you are at the song stuff. That was devastating. And I usually find devastating things to be pretty valuable.

With sad music, or music that's perceived as sad, there's a sense of solidarity that can be really powerful. My songs are all joyful to me.

I think that providing obstructions in the live setting is when you get something that actually means something, as opposed to just aping your way through your greatest hits.

Laurel Canyon is kind of grotesque. It's this nature-themed place, and everybody is kind of angry.

I was kind of bored playing drums in a band. Which was depressing, because playing in the band was kind of a golden ticket.

It's a vanity to think that a legitimate shamanistic experience can be purchased.

I've been writing a lot about my encounter with love. Which is the white stag as far as songwriting is concerned because love songs are so banal, and my experience with love is anything but that.

There's a lot of risk in putting what you suspect you really are into your music.

I play sad bastard music. For the money.

Funny is a good foil. Humor is illuminating, and it also gives you power.