Ariel Rechtshaid Quotes

I don't write songs, play music and tour, really, for anyone else but myself. It's something that I have to do to stay alive.

Writing, for me, was a feat of self-preservation. If I did not do it, I would die. So I did it. Obstinacy, not talent, saved my life.

Not that painting would have been a release. The reason for doing it is the desire to create. I've got to do it! I've seen that, I can still remember it, I've got to paint it.

My outlet is my music, and it's been this way since I was 4 years old.

Guitar is the best form of self-expression I know. Everything else, and I'm just sort of tripping around, trying to figure my way through life.

It was really written as most, I think, books are by writers - for themselves. There was something that just had to be written, in a way that it had to be written. If you know what I mean.

I write music just for me. I'm certainly not good enough to do it on any kind of a level but I enjoy that time because it's quiet.

I love acting, but music is so much more rewarding because it's more personal.

The thing about my music is, there really is no point.

I wrote so much about fandom and participation for NPR that I eventually realized my most fertile way of participating in music is to actually play it, at least in a way that made the most sense to me.

I play guitar and write music, and that's definitely a huge part of my life, but it's my personal thing that I have for me.

I've always loved music, very simply, as a vehicle to express myself and that hasn't changed.

I'm inspired to do music. I really can't stop unless I stop being inspired.

I don't even know what made me start wanting to do music. It just... happened. Because I sat in my basement all the time, and music was my best friend, and I just wanted to be a part of it.

I picked Dad's guitar up when I was 8. It hurt to play, so I put it down and picked it back up when I was 15 and dug in. The guitar helped me come out of my shell and kind of gave me an identity at school.

The only love affair I have ever had was with music.

I feel completely fortunate to have this outlet for something I don't really feel like I have a choice in, to make music. I've got to make it.

If you meet me, you might not get to know me. If you hear my music? You'll get to know me.

Music I do just for me.

Everyone has their own path in life, no matter if it's being a celebrity or a singer. Quite frankly, I didn't move to Nashville and tell myself I wanted to be a singer because I wanted to be a celebrity or I wanted to be somebody that people admired. I wasn't about that. I just loved music.

Music gave me a sense that I was worthwhile and that I had something of value to offer the world even though everybody was telling me that I didn't.

I think the definition of an artist is not necessarily tied into excellence or talent; an artist is somebody who, if you took away their freedom to make art, would lose their mind.

I don't feel like I'm on a mission. I'm trying to play music that I like to play and like to listen to.

I'm not in it for the money. I like music. I love to write music. I can't imagine myself not playing or singing or writing. It would just drive me crazy if I didn't.

I am a musician. My passion for music has obliterated everything in its path for my entire life.