I was writing poetry, and the Mountain Goats was an outgrowth of that. John Darnielle goatmountainoutgrowth Change image and share on social
At my high school, there were always kids carrying acoustic guitars around, which is why I named my band the Mountain Goats. I didn't want to seem like one of those guys who brought his guitar to the party whether you asked him to or not. John Darnielle acousticaskband share on social
I'd played with Jon Wurster as a duo just for a lark. John Darnielle duojonlark Change image and share on social
Wrestlers give their bodies to their work. I don't know if I like the word 'crazy' here. What I would say is there are people who have a different relationship to their bodies than most people. John Darnielle bodycrazygive Change image and share on social
One of the great things about wrestling is how it interrogates this silly idea that you have one authentic self. John Darnielle authenticgreatidea Change image and share on social
Sometimes I'll write without the guitar or the piano, but most of the time I'll be playing and just improvising some words. And when I get something that sounds good, a line with a story in it, I'll try and tease it out and figure out where the story is going. John Darnielle figuregoodguitar share on social
I try not to write songs in which men glamorize their own need for approval from women. That's kinda a bogus way to go out. But I try to do this quietly. I'm not about to go around telling people how they should or shouldn't think. My feminism is for me. John Darnielle approvalbogusfeminism share on social
A book is a journey: It's a thing you agree to go on with somebody, and I think every reader's experience of a book is going to be different. John Darnielle agreebookexperience Change image and share on social
There's the dual challenge of wanting to speak from an authentic place, and then being able to be honest about it. Even in the most mannered art, I think that's what people value, is a voice that comes from a real place. John Darnielle artauthenticchallenge share on social
Most of my interests in terms of writing are dark, so it's discordant how much I try to lock into the vibe of wherever I'm at. Inhabiting the life of the imagination is the nature of survival strategy - you build yourself little worlds to enjoy. John Darnielle builddarkdiscordant share on social