"The first song on it ['Have You Seen My Baby?'], I don't love, but it was just another one... I just picked that one because I think, on Trouble In Paradise and Little Criminals and Born Again, there's probably songs on there, if you go song-by-song, that I like better, that are more produced. But I think starting maybe with track two or so, I burned that one from vinyl - it has that same effect, that sprawling effect, because it's more primitive, before it got too produced. It's just got that bluesy piano thing, it's well recorded and I don't know, I think at the end of the day, if you listen to an album as one piece - sure, maybe start it at the second track - but it just travels in this sort of good, honky tonk bluesy way. I'd say my record came off more like something like that than 'Baltimore' from Little Criminals. I love that song, but it's very produced, very polished and 12 Songs is more just naturally... it's got it's warts, but they're all pretty beautiful."

"When you listen to a song a lot, it becomes more and more difficult for it to surprise you. But this song is perfectly structured in a way where it overtakes itself. It’s from Roxy Music’s self-titled album from 1972, and it starts out almost hokey, like it’s giving a nod to honky-tonk music. Then the guitar line comes in, and it’s like a fuck-you to the rest of the song. And then Bryan Ferry’s vocals completely change. It becomes so plaintive and emotional. It’s about this intrusion upon one’s own story, which I love. When the song inserts a new sonic quality upon itself, it jars me from whatever I’m doing. I spend so much time trying to remind myself to be present, and this song acts as an aural reminder to do that. I use it almost as a form of meditation. And it’s what I want from music to begin with: It renders me stupid and rudderless, and then it rebuilds an anchor out of notes and melody. It’s like a continual reminder to do that in my life. When I’m busy, listening to the same songs and artists over and over is a way of simplifying my life. I tend to wear the same clothing, everything becomes ritualized. Obviously there are so many new musicians that we can tune in to every day, but I also love finding a new appreciation for those who already exist. Because that’s what our world is: We build upon what’s already there. And I like unearthing as much as I like moving forward."