David Byrne

The imminent demise of the large record companies as gatekeepers of the world’s popular music is a good thing, for the most part.

I’ve rarely seen video screens used well in a music concert.

We tend to mistake music for the physical object.

The making of music is profoundly affected by the market.

We don’t make music – it makes us.

People are already finding ways to make their music and play it in front of people and have a life in music, I guess, and I think that’s pretty much all you can ask.

I’m not suggesting people abandon musical instruments and start playing their cars and apartments, but I do think the reign of music as a commodity made only by professionals might be winding down.

It didn’t even occur to me that I’m the last person in the world who should play salsa or Brazilian music.

I’ve noticed a lot of younger artists have less fear of doing different sorts of things, whether it’s various types of music, or gallery artists moving between video and sculpture and drawing.

You create a community with music, not just at concerts but by talking about it with your friends.