You always want what you can’t have, and that all-American thing, from the day I was born,
MITSKIYou always want what you can’t have, and that all-American thing, from the day I was born,
MITSKISometimes when I perform, and it’s obvious the audience is just there to party, or if I feel a wall between me and the audience, I get existential about it.
MITSKIWhen you’re an adult, things mellow out. I think when you’re a teenager and you are sad and the world is ending, everything is about that one sadness.
MITSKIBeing an outsider makes you a really good writer.
MITSKIEverything is so chaotic and messy in the world, and I have always felt kind of dirty.
MITSKIWhenever someone says they like something about my music.
MITSKII know for a fact that I’m problematic. I shouldn’t be looked to for any kind of guidance.
MITSKIIn my first few years of being in New York, I had a major identity crisis because I’d never stayed in one place for so long.
MITSKII don’t think I’m alone in this: I’m obsessed with trying to not only be happy but maintain happiness, but my definition of happiness is skewed more towards ecstasy rather than contentment.
MITSKII always have strong urges to sabotage myself.
MITSKIWhen you are a minority, it’s your job to bend, and when you love someone, you really want to make it work.
MITSKIMusic was the one thing that was just mine, and no one could take it from me. I created it, dictated it, and it made me not able to let go of it.
MITSKIWhen I record, it’s this very precious and insular thing.
MITSKIOften I’ve had problems automatically bending to a lover’s will, becoming what I know they want me to be. Immediately, I learn all the music they love, listen to it, study it, instead of being like, ‘This is what I love!’
MITSKIWhenever I’ve tried to ingratiate myself to an existing community, I tend to give too much, to become whatever it is they want me to be. It’s something I do automatically – I’ve learnt to immediately adapt.
MITSKII created this ‘ideal America.’ Finally I came to the U.S. and realised, ‘Oh, I don’t belong here, either.’
MITSKI