When life hands you melons, eat them.

The people I admire are Tim Buckley and John Martyn - singers that grew into themselves and were honest. John Martyn is one of the great soul singers because soul is not a genre; it's a feeling.

The way you react to each challenge forms who you become.

Music is probably one of the most honest things out there - it's feral.

With the first album, there was a lot of angst. I was very naive. I thought I was on top of the whole thing, but I really didn't know what I was getting into.

I only became interested in clothes when I was in my mid-teens. I'd do things like spike my hair and put on a nice shirt, but I'd hardly call myself fashion-conscious. I just don't have the energy.

I've always enjoyed the bohemia of Paisley.

Maybe it's the way that I do music, but I was never in a cool indie band or hung out with all the cool arty kids when I came to London.

That's the good thing about music: you can sing about people's lives in its stages and feelings. Some songs can put something in context that you couldn't. They can free your mind or can make you think or can be redeeming.

I think it was definitely a love for the four- or five-part vocal male harmony groups that really took me away. I'd always try and be, like, the fifth Drifter; I'd always try and find another harmony that wasn't there.

You don't want to go and make something, then go out and do shows, if you're not really into it. You don't want to go out there and make people feel like you're grudging playing them a song. That's a disturbing thought.

Sometimes people don't know what is behind the words they use. But an innocent little remark at school can affect you later in life.

I get nervous all the time. Both on and off stage. You just hope it turns into adrenaline.

I've always got a notepad on or a voice recorder recording ideas.

I'm neither here nor there about this Lady Gaga, but she's clearly very passionate about her poker face.

Always wash your hands, and always tell the truth.

I've met such amazing people in their 40s, in their 60s, 70s, and they completely bely their age on paper.

When it comes to the business side of it, as much as you might hate it, the reality is that you give the record company a sort of ownership of your songs, so you've got to make sure you're getting everything you can out of it now, because if you're not, then who is?

I'm not seeking for answers; I just want to tell stories and state my opinion.

I don't mind being criticised, but hearing yourself described as the next James Blunt - that hurts.

People make you feel like a bad guy for asking for seven quid for your album, like you are slapping them in the face, when they'll go and pay two grand for a scarf somebody knitted in a sweat shop and stitched a designer label on.

I write on the acoustic guitar, I write some on the piano, but I've been messing around with these guitar pedals and drum machines, educating myself in that world.

Really, if you've got people who want you to play, you play.

Love is music, and music is home.