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
I was writing poetry, and the Mountain Goats was an outgrowth of that. John Darnielle goatmountainoutgrowth Change image and 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
Your intelligence doesn't override your desire to destroy yourself. John Darnielle desiredestroyintelligence Change image and share on social
One or two people have named their children after characters in my songs. That's pretty intense. John Darnielle characterchildintense Change image and share on social
My feminism is what came squarely up against my faith. There's a lot of ecstatic post-patriarchal Christians who have stuff they do with that. But at that point, you're doing Christianity with a double-superscript. The Bible, and especially the book of Genesis, is pretty unapologetically patriarchal. John Darnielle biblebookchristian share on social
I think wrestling is the one that presents theater for people who want to see some theater but don't necessarily have to dress up or be quiet while they're watching. John Darnielle dressnecessarilypeople Change image and share on social
I got a promo of 'Nichts Muss' in what would have been 2002 or 2003 and fell totally in love with it after listening to it on an airplane that took me to Australia via Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. John Darnielle airplaneaustraliafall Change image and 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