DAR WILLIAMS

Writing 'February' made me realize that breaking form is a way of letting the song be human.

I'm becoming a professional nomad and enjoying that whole part of my life.

The funny thing is musicians often love to go to see visual art because you've got all these pictures to turn into metaphors.

But if you're looking to be spooked by really tall trees then you've got to go to Washington State.

Sometimes life gives us lessons sent in ridiculous packaging.

Sometimes I see myself fine, sometimes I need a witness. And I like the whole truth, but there are nights I only need forgiveness.

If you're looking for can-do, earthy-crunchy attitude then you've got to go to Wisconsin.

How I long to fall just a little bit, to dance out of the lines and stray from the light.

Therapy was the biggest romance of my life.

You'll almost encounter a superstition amongst musicians, people sort of go through strange rituals, what they need to do to write a song.

Arizona is really cool but I couldn't stay there for too long.

But social justice and the environment are very tied together in my head.

I was raised by parents who really admired the religious leaders of the left, as many 60s and 70s liberals did.

Milwaukee one of my favorite cites; I think Milwaukee is #1.

I watch people throw aluminum cans in the trash, and I think of all the stories I've heard about the over-mining of aluminum, the erosion that happens, and the trees that fall down.

And where does magic come from? I think that magic's in the learning.

In the laughing times we know that we are lucky, and in the quiet times we know that we are blessed. And we will not be alone.

I really value people besides parents who nurture kids.

A song versus an album is not like a scene versus a play.

You always have to wrestle with chaos.

Being told that you are good at banter is like being told that you are a good person.

But I benefit from the taxes I pay because I know how to access the benefits of the taxes.

Everyone has to decide how they're going to appear in their lives, how they're going to put themselves out there to the world.

I have a sordid past.

I think music is another language.