The real challenge of writing songs isn't just writing a bunch of parts - like a verse, chorus, verse - but making something that flows together, that brings you back. James Mercer backbringbunch Change image and share on social
I've never been one to think it was cheating to sample this or to loop the drum part there - I've always done that. Even using four-track cassette recorders, I was always doing whatever I could to make it as good as I could. James Mercer cassettecheatdrum share on social
The part of modern pop music I don't know much about is hip hop. James Mercer hiphopmodern Change image and share on social
I kinda learned to sing singing to Echo and the Bunnymen songs and Smiths songs: Morrissey would be a big favorite. James Mercer bigbunnymanecho Change image and share on social
I don't like the idea of a singer-songwriter record. I don't picture myself that way, and it's not my favorite sort of look, I guess. It's really just an aesthetic thing. James Mercer aestheticfavoriteguess Change image and share on social
The fact that I'm often pushing my voice as hard as I can is from playing in nightclubs in Albuquerque where you don't have a good sound system. James Mercer albuquerquefactgood Change image and share on social
The love you have for your kids is so overwhelmingly powerful that it alters your perspective. The dark things going on in the world become very poignant and vivid. James Mercer alterdarkkid Change image and share on social
When I started The Shins, it really was just me, alone, but it was still The Shins. I was totally recording stuff and writing songs as The Shins and all of that. So the beginning inception of the whole thing was some sort of a lie, I guess. James Mercer beginguessinception share on social
I have no ethics when it comes to art. You just do what you can to make it as beautiful as you can. James Mercer artbeautifulethic Change image and share on social
There is pressure that comes with everything being a big deal. I remember thinking, 'I need to survive the Shins. I don't know what I'm going to do to make a living otherwise, but I really don't want to do the Shins right now.' James Mercer bigdeallive share on social
