I don't see any of my records as any more or less conceptual than the others, and I don't really plan some overall idea in advance. The songs all get written under the umbrella of a certain time in your life, and it's natural to find themes that repeat within these periods.
I have been inspired by countless artists over the years, but there's also times when you just gotta make your own inspiration.
Ultimately, I really like to rap, and seeing what I can do to keep it fresh for myself has lent itself to tailoring over time.
New York can be a tad stressful.
Honestly, I don't feel pressure to live up to anything I've done because I tend to not listen to my work once a year passes.
I know a lot of people who make records, and when you meet them, it's not their personality or they're not what you're expecting. But El-P is exactly what you'd expect.
I always keep my phone on vibrate. Ringtones give me anxiety.
I love a cool cellphone as much as the next guy, but, god, I hate when it rings.
To be honest, I think Chris Ware is the only person whose books I've actively and consistently purchased for years.
After much inner debate, I can safely proclaim that Mungo Jerry's 'In the Summertime' may, in fact, be the best song ever recorded.
I avoided the computer generation for a very long time.
The neighbors prefer I don't do vocals at night. It gets a little iffy when I'm screaming.
When I record in a studio. I know that on Tuesday at 3 o'clock I've got to go be creative.
I guess all that I can hope for is that my songs affect the younger versions of me out there.
Inserting my personal brand of humor is something I have at times had trouble doing - but I feel like I've been learning about it a little more, how to do it, and how it helps my songs.
I always find my emotions all over the map, not so much a single thing overriding the rest.
You think of, like, Justin Timberlake. He does a three-hour performance every night, and it's like, wow, I don't know how that guy does it.
It's a strange position to be in. Not only the fact that I'm trying to live off work that is personal, but how you get the money for that is racing around the country and smiling for people and selling the record, you know what I mean?
I'm not a celebrity or anything.
When you're younger, you really care who your fans are.
