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 think I am a religious person just by nature. I think I sort of view everything through the lens of some inner undying thing in people that drives them to act as they do or to feel ashamed of not acting in some other way. John Darnielle actashameddrive share on social
I love Joan Didion, but I love her writing. I don't think meeting her could solve my problems or make me understand the world better. John Darnielle didionjoanlove Change image and share on social
I think there are some writers - like, if you read Kerouac, I think you probably need to take a little break before you sit down to the typewriter because he's the type of writer whose voice infects you. John Darnielle breakinfectkerouac share on social
People do all sorts of things impulsively and follow those impulses into strange places. John Darnielle followimpulseimpulsively Change image and share on social
My songs tend to sprint toward some epiphany and then explode. John Darnielle epiphanyexplodesong Change image and share on social
For me, moving is always a big opportunity. It's just a enough of a shift in outlook that every time I move, it seems to open something up. John Darnielle bigmoveopen Change image and share on social
When you're born into a showbiz family, the deck is stacked against you. John Darnielle beardeckfamily Change image and share on social
To me, creative work is labor, like any other kind of labor. It's got value, and it takes your time, and it's useful to people, depending. John Darnielle creativedependkind 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
