Ezra Koenig

“It's pretty cool that people will pay for something even though they don't have to. It's totally different now to back in the day. Now you're paying for a record because you believe in the band. In the future that will be the only time people will pay for albums, because there's some kind of connection.”

“I went to Columbia University because I knew I wanted to go to a school that was academically rigorous. I prided myself on getting good grades, but I also hated it.”

“I don't like to generalize but I've had nothing but bad experiences with Mexican food in Europe.”

“Just because I grew up a white guy in America doesn't mean that's the music of my life.”

“Some people say video games rot your brain, but I think they work different muscles that maybe you don't normally use.”

“There aren't that many people walking about who are a total class stereotype.”

“It's cool to have instruments lying around because they give you different ideas.”

“I like how Ralph Lauren creates a mystical world through his clothing.”

“In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.”

“Making every record is a process full of tough times.”

“Growing up listening to rap music, you almost feel like you should have haters. That's an important part of being a successful musician. It's a good thing, I guess.”

“I do think sometimes there's danger in guest appearance mania. I've seen too many examples that sound cool on paper, like 'Oh, get that guy to sing the hook on that guy's song,' and then that's all it is. It's a cool idea that sounds good on paper.”

“No part of Manhattan these days really has the same vibe I get from a Ramones song or a Velvet Underground song.”

“When Obama came to power, there was a lot of talk about a post-racial America.”