The way the vocal folds work is that they can get inflamed and in pain, but actual tears in the folds are somewhat rare. I've never torn anything. Been too strained plenty of times. John Darnielle actualfoldhave Change image and share on social
Younger songwriters will ask me, 'What did you do?' And it's like, 'Well, I worked a day job, and I didn't stake anything. I didn't quit my day job. I didn't have any hopes at all. I just did the thing that I believed in, and I waited a long time.' John Darnielle believedayhope share on social
Most of 'All Hail West Texas' was written during orientation at a new job I had. I had basically worked this job before, I knew this stuff, so I was writing lyrics in the margins of all the Xeroxed material. John Darnielle basicallyhailjob share on social
You get this really cool groove when you're playing just piano, bass, and drums where everyone's sort of feeling each other's space, which is the only way to put it, but it really is true, and everyone's sort of sitting in their own pocket. It's kind of jazz-like. John Darnielle bascooldrum share on social
I used to assume no one would care, but I do think now I've written songs that are useful to people having dark hours. John Darnielle assumecaredark Change image and share on social
Songs are often character studies. John Darnielle charactersongstudy Change image and share on social
I want to make sure people know I don't think I have any magic powers. I just have a story that I share. John Darnielle magicmakepeople Change image and share on social
Touring is just not normal for me. My personality is to never ever talk to people if I can help it. John Darnielle normalpeoplepersonality Change image and share on social
Sometimes I feel very young, and other times I feel like the side of a ship that's got a bunch of layers of mussels and barnacles on it. John Darnielle barnaclebunchfeel Change image and share on social
This is why improvisational music and comedy is so inspiring: You are seeing something being born, and that energy, there is no substitute for. These songs, most of them, are about a minute old when you hear them. John Darnielle bearcomedyenergy share on social