I tend to write a pretty half and half split of, like, slow, morose things and then sort of more upbeat stuff. James Mercer halfmorosepretty Change image and share on social
I've always sort of felt like what the Shins is, I guess, is a vehicle for my writing. James Mercer feltguesshave Change image and share on social
I sit and write songs alone and then get together with people to help me flesh it out into a recording. James Mercer fleshpeoplerecord Change image and share on social
Meeting Perry Farrel was kind of cool. He's such an icon, and I was such a fan of Jane's Addiction. James Mercer addictioncoolfan Change image and share on social
I remember being in high school, and you had to draw those lines and define yourself. I don't think when I was in high school I would have been willing to admit that I liked the Shins. I was into TSOL and Black Flag. I probably would have listened to the Shins secretly in my bedroom. James Mercer admitbedroomblack share on social
I was a regular dork. I was a kid who was scrawny and all that, and probably kind of dumb or something. I wasn't unordinary; I wasn't extraordinary. James Mercer dorkdumbextraordinary Change image and share on social
My whole goal is to make good records and keep myself inspired and able to accomplish what I need to accomplish. James Mercer accomplishgoalgood Change image and share on social
So happy that Broken Bells is a thing in my life and really cool in so many ways. Not only, like, as something to sell records and be a band and whatnot, but just to give me an outlet and give me a fresh approach on things. James Mercer approachbandbell share on social
Lyrically, I think I'm frustrated with this whole process of trying to figure out what I believe about the world and life. I don't like to adopt a sort of guiding philosophy. James Mercer adoptfigurefrustrate Change image and share on social
We played a festival in Ireland once, and in the middle of 'New Slang,' the Scissor Sisters kicked in across the field on this mega stage. It was a little distracting. It was hard to keep track of what I was supposed to sing. James Mercer distractfestivalfield share on social