Ray LaMontagne

“It's so easy to get caught up in your own experiences. They can seem so important. But there are billions and billions of other experiences going on.”

“I always felt, as a listener at a show, that when there was too much banter between the artist and the audience that it detracted from the show. I more enjoyed shows where the guys came out and they just played.”

“You have to believe in yourself before anybody else believes in you.”

“When I think of folk music, I think of topical songs. And I don't write topical songs.”

“Writing songs is not something I wanted to share with people for a long time. It was precious to me. I didn't want someone to crush it. I waited until I felt strong enough to take the criticism.”

“My voice sucks. I don't like the tone.”

“Well... you know, I love motorcycles. They're just beautiful, and there's a certain craftsmanship in older bikes, older Triumphs or BSAs or Norton. I'm just very attracted to it.”

“I'd much rather be playing songs than talking to people.”

“I'm a very emotional person.”

“It bugs me that people think my songs are personal because it means I have to explain myself all the time.”

“You can make bad choices and find yourself in a downward spiral or you can find something that gets you out of it.”

“When I pick up the guitar, it's a melody, and that's what drives the lyrics. It's bits and pieces of truth, but it is storytelling.”

“Every song asks to be sung in a different way.”