1.
I actually think sadness and darkness can be very beautiful and healing.
Duncan Sheik
2.
Lately I've been a workaholic. I'm in the studio all the time and I've helped to produce a couple of artists
Duncan Sheik
3.
My second record was all about big ideas - I was trying to make big statements about the culture, about life. I think in a certain way, I was a 27 year old kid with a guitar
Duncan Sheik
4.
I try to make sure that the Buddhism is more or less implicit in the music rather than explicit
Duncan Sheik
5.
Things come to me pretty regularly. There is never a shortage or a backlog
Duncan Sheik
6.
So I started chanting when I was nineteen, which was about twelve years ago, and it really had a huge impact on my outlook, happiness, and general creativity.
Duncan Sheik
7.
But I can't really say there is too much modern music that I'm blown away by at this moment
Duncan Sheik
8.
I certainly wouldn't say that my life is a disaster, but there have been moments where I've felt like that
Duncan Sheik
9.
My first two records were more energetic; Phantom Moon is subtle, quiet; so these various reactions are just something I expected
Duncan Sheik
10.
But really important, perhaps most important is the craft; how you make your record, the creation of these sonic worlds you want your listener to hear.
Duncan Sheik
11.
I also wanted to make a record that was about other things than romance, yeah, after two years on the road singing all the songs from the first album, I got kind of tired of that.
Duncan Sheik
12.
It's inevitable your environment will influence what you do
Duncan Sheik
13.
I got a publishing deal with BMG, they were supportive, and some money to record demos
Duncan Sheik
14.
I'd have these weird experiences where I'd just be walking down the street with this chord progression in my head, this happened more than a few times, and I'd walk home and find a fax in my machine and it would match the music in my head
Duncan Sheik
15.
Simon Hale, the British arranger, does all string and wood arrangements on my records
Duncan Sheik
16.
Because of my Buddhist practice, I'm never lacking for inspiration
Duncan Sheik
17.
A real foolproof way to do it is play your stuff by hook or by crook and build up a grass roots following
Duncan Sheik
18.
For my second record I had gotten ProTools and started to familiar myself with hard disc recording.
Duncan Sheik
19.
I'm a pretty big P.J. Harvey record fan and you can really hear New York in his record
Duncan Sheik
20.
When I was a teenager, I got into four track recorders, drum machines, and synthesizers, and I started producing instrumental music.
Duncan Sheik
21.
I'm fortunate I have this coterie of musicians around me to help take music to next level. Being surrounded by so much creative energy, so many creative people really feeds that creativity in me
Duncan Sheik
22.
Ultimately, if I'm really moved by something, it's going to go on the record and that's that
Duncan Sheik
23.
And frankly, when I made that record, hit songs were not what I was trying to achieve.
Duncan Sheik
24.
If I were to do this over I'd play a lot more shows before I made a record
Duncan Sheik
25.
I started playing music at a pretty young age
Duncan Sheik
26.
I wouldn't say that I've had a tough life by any stretch of the imagination.
Duncan Sheik
27.
I make the kind of music I like
Duncan Sheik
28.
I did a song, "Court and Spark," for a Joni Mitchell tribute album that's yet to see the light of day. So she's someone I'd like to do something with, sure. I worked with the great guitar player Bill Frisell on Phantom Moon - that was fun. I'm such a fan; he's amazing.
Duncan Sheik
29.
I actually am always a music first person
Duncan Sheik
30.
I privilege the music over the lyrics
Duncan Sheik
31.
Happy music doesn't tend to move me much
Duncan Sheik
32.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer or King Crimson or Gentle Giant - the worst prog rock references I can come up with. Though I totally loved those groups as a kid.
Duncan Sheik
33.
I think my Buddhist practice has a profound influence on my life and encompasses my creative projects
Duncan Sheik
34.
I feel fortunate about being able to make the music I want to make and getting away with it
Duncan Sheik
35.
So, once I've written a song, you know, I'm pretty happy with what the song is on its own terms.
Duncan Sheik
36.
I mean, at the end of the day when I'm making a record, what I want to do is what I do
Duncan Sheik
37.
I think in a way I was probably completely naive about what it takes to make something become a hit
Duncan Sheik