Quotes from Jason Isbell

I go to the movies a lot on off days. I exercise. I have routines that I go by.

As far as being satisfied, I just don't think you should work towards being satisfied. If everybody were satisfied, we'd never get anything done.

It's not easy to sit down and open yourself up and say, 'This is how much I love you,' you know? It's scary to do that.

At some point, I'd like to make a record that's more of a self-serving guitar album, because I really love to play. It's not really something I'd expect a whole lot of people to buy, though.

I like not having to worry about paying the bills, but I have to watch myself because I don't come from money.

I've tried to be open to what's going on and paying close attention, not letting things that inspire me to pass me by.

There are so few people that wake up every day and go do something that they don't dread... I'm very lucky.

I just try to keep making good records, try to write songs the best way I can and take my job seriously. Like most people take their jobs.

Man, that Jim Lauderdale always looks good - he's got more western suits than anybody.

I think politics are a very personal thing.

I've dealt with a lot of physical pain, with a lot of emotional pain; anybody's who's ever been an alcoholic has handled both of those in extreme.

The idea of growing up in the South and being a man is an interesting thing; there's a lot masculinity involved, with hunting, fishing, and playing sports that rural people take pride in, but at the same time, I grew up really not wanting to hate anybody.

I know people who have written big hit country songs that are really kind of terrible songs, but for the rest of their life, they're the guy who wrote that. You've got to be careful; if you don't want that to happen, don't write those songs.

I'm not looking to be a superstar. I just want to be in a room with good people who are similar to me and are at least open to things that I have to say.

An incredible number of people have raised children who aren't too screwed up. Surely, I won't be the worst at it.

I think Spotify is honestly just another one of Sean Parker's ways of ripping musicians off.

Physical labor, manual labor - if you can stay close to those folks, there's always plenty to write about, 'cause their issues are real issues.

I always think that's neat, when you can hear a story told from different points of view, different perspectives.

I like a cliche if it's sort of turned on its head.

I think I'm a common man for the most part, but I don't work as hard as most people that I know.

I've always known that there are conflicting issues going on where I'm from. It's always been that way.

I have modes, mental modes that I get in, and when I'm on the road, I focus very much on doing the work. On playing the show, on being good every night. And part of me just gets switched off. The part that's very private and very personal and very intimate. That especially, that part of me gets shut off.

The Police could get away with doing an entire record with really no audible reverb, which I have always admired and thought would be a lot of fun to try to re-create.

I like to play pool. When the ball goes in the pocket, you win.