“For me, fiction isn't very cathartic. It can be a broad, long catharsis, but it's a whole different thing - whereas music is physical. Essentially, it goes in through your ear. Fiction is cerebral, necessarily. It can do emotional stuff. But they don't really compare - not for me.”

American musician and novelist, born 1967

John Darnielle is an American musician and novelist, best known as the founder and driving force behind the indie folk band the Mountain Goats. He started the band in 1991 and has served as its writer, composer, guitarist, pianist, and vocalist. He is known for a prolific body of work and for lyrics that have a distinctly literary feel. Alongside his music, he has written three novels, Wolf in White Van, Universal Harvester, and Devil House.