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
Honestly, humans are social creatures that really crave intimacy, and I think that the friends I have who are trying to somehow go it alone are suffering for it. James Mercer cravecreaturefriend Change image and share on social
I think that once you start writing songs, you start developing a library of ideas that you can go and take from, so it gets easier as you go. James Mercer developeasyidea Change image and share on social
Horrible dates are when you're with people who are immature and can't really be comfortable in their own skin. James Mercer comfortabledatehorrible Change image and 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
Until having kids, I had never really thought about mortality so much. James Mercer kidmortalitythink Change image and share on social
My hope is that one day I'll be able to work and have a quieter life, but still a creative life. James Mercer creativedayhope Change image and share on social
Life is sad. People, you know, are going to pass, and you know that you will one day. James Mercer daylifepas Change image and share on social
Collaboration is something I missed at one point in The Shins. I really wanted to have that experience again, you know, not having everything rely on me. I wanted to have a partner. James Mercer collaborationexperiencemiss Change image and share on social
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