Was it different playing songs with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs?
That was a really serendipitous kind of crossing of paths. I just finished my solo acoustic record and was going on tour for it anyway, and they needed someone to flesh out their songs on Show Your Bones with lots of acoustic textures. I didn’t think too much—it just felt right. What it’s like having Frances McDormand up front and screaming at your shows? She’s an amazing person—sort of a constant supporter of my music since I met her. We just have a connection. I don’t know—it’s strange. I really try not to demystify the beauty of certain relationships and what you share with certain people and why. You just have to exist with them. I feel she adopted a very motherly role with me. Being able to have discussions with her about insanity—connections to insanity and Edward Gorey. What do you think is the relationship between art and insanity? I don’t think you have to suffer to create great art. But certain people do. I’ve known really sensitive people that have totally destroyed their li
