I discovered the same thing Gram Parsons did, that soul music and country music are practically identical. Based off of the same chord structures, and the songs are of heartache and loss. The main connection is they both came up in church. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
I’ve never been good at rock’n’roll songs, anyway; either I’m blessed or I’m cursed, but whatever I write comes out sounding old. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
I heard Nirvana, and discovered that songs could be like poetry, but a little bit more refined: you didn’t have to have 20 verses to get your point across. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
I’ve always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter poetry competitions, and I don’t think I ever lost one. So I had the idea for a while of being some kind of poet. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
I think the best thing an artist can do is not hang out with other artists. I really dislike hanging out with musicians, for the most part, except for a few select friends, because I don’t like to talk about music all the time. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
I always watched movies and rooted for the bad guys, you know? I’ve always been that kind of guy. I still hold some respect for criminals that are good at their jobs. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
You have to live what you write, or you have to know it. There are exceptions, like story songs, where you just have to have your facts straight. But I think you don’t have to live a hard life to be a good or interesting songwriter. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
New York has always had a love for Southern artists. There’s no place else that makes me feel like the city does. I just love the immediate nature of the city, you can get whatever you want whenever you want it and do whatever you want whenever you want to. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
I think that it’s the job of the artist to be in transition and constantly learn more. Justin Townes Earle Read Quote
