Courtney Barnett

“I grew up listening to Nirvana and then went through some bad '90s pop stuff - a lot of Australian one-hit wonders.”

“Everyone writes in whatever way feels comfortable to them. People write songs because maybe they don't feel so comfortable talking about whatever matters.”

“When I started Milk! Records, it was a pretty non-profit making venture.”

“We're a very success-driven culture, which is such a downer at times. Even if you don't think that way, you're forced to think that way. Everyone is trying to subconsciously out-do everyone else.”

“When I was on the road with Billy Bragg, it was cool because I was doing the whole thing solo and travel a lot by myself, which I quite like. I mean, I love being with friends, but it's kind of nice having that alone time.”

“I grew up listening to hipster jazz and classical records... we went and watched ballet and orchestras - lots of cool stuff. Which I'm really grateful for - it's pretty nice being introduced to that when you're little.”

“Dad sometimes sends me texts saying, 'Just heard you on the radio, thumbs up', or whatever. So that's pretty cute.”

“I played in school jazz bands and tried to start rock bands, but nobody was interested.”

“You can't read when you're traveling with other people; it always feels a bit rude.”

“People are like, 'Wow you started your own record label,' and treat me like I'm some sort of innovative genius, when I'm not at all. You've got the Internet and music - you put them together, and people hear your music.”

“If I make a wrong decision, I worry what might have been. I stress out over very insignificant things.”

“I don't like to overcook songs.”

“I liked the idea of being a photographer, just that you take this one picture of this one thing that'll never happen again - it's a bit weird when you think about it.”

“I really want a Christmas in New York one year, when it's snowing. Like, it's Christmas morning, and you have a fight with someone, and you run down the street, and it's snowing, and you can't find them.”

“I just get bored really quickly and want to push myself to the next level.”

“If I write something down, it's normally just a sharp one-liner.”

“I'm very hands on with my music - I do all the artwork and everything myself - and the songs I write aren't necessarily the most commercial.”

“The first song I wrote was called 'You,' and it was a love song about somebody who didn't even exist.”

“I have a normal life; I don't do anything crazy.”

“I'm self-deprecating - I spend a lot of time telling myself that things are OK, as opposed to having to tell myself to get over things.”