"Elvis Costello changed everything for me. I had to have everything he made and I had to hear it all. I loved everything about him and I think I modelled myself after him a little bit. He was a solo artist and I loved the way he incorporated a band like The Attractions, it was a cool concept. I thought his whole vibe was so cool - this cool guy in the shades, kind of goofy looking and awkward, but it was all part of his aesthetic. "Red Shoes” is a great example of how he could write an instant classic, that song sounds like it’s been around forever. I really started getting into the cracks of songwriting when I heard it and it opened more technical doors for me as well. I’m definitely a fan, though, not just a scholarly fan. A lot of people I know don’t like him or don’t get it, and maybe that’s true in a grander, bigger scale - either you like him or you don’t. I love his voice and he’s a singer that I’ve tried to emulate a lot, even though I have no business doing that. He’s inspired me to write so many songs of my own and that’s helped to motivate me."

"There’s a story behind this song. My parents were divorced and when I was little and I’d go to visit my Dad, out of state in Florida. We lived in Michigan, I was really young and I remember flying all by myself with the captain's hat, the wings and all that. My Dad turned me onto this song. He was super hip, super cool and way into music, and I think that’s where I get it from. He showed me Devo, and I was ten because that record was out in 1980. I thought ‘What? These guys are goofy...’ but by the end of my next trip to his I was loving it. I don’t know why I liked ""Girl U Want"", but it had this bizarre and cool edge to it. I think sonically it was a big deal to me too, it sounded weird and processed, it wasn't like Rock and Roll, it was that New Wave thing and I liked the sound of it. It’s hard to talk about these songs. I’m trying to make sense of the feelings I have about them, but they’re elusive feelings. People might not think of these songs as huge, monumental songs but I like the fact they’re fun and they disguise themselves as silly, almost comedic songs. But dude, that shit is for real and Devo’s songs are for real. ""Girl U Want"" blew my mind and continues to blow my mind thirty-five years later"