I feel the value of my work is determined very precisely ...

I feel the value of my work is determined very precisely by the audience. What does entertainment mean, anyway, and what's the difference between that and art? I would say the main difference is that art isn't necessarily funded by the consumer, but entertainment always is. In that way, entertaininment is a million times more important to me than art, and being an entertainer is more important to me than being an artist. The relationship with the audience is so direct, while the government or rich collectors are going to pay for something that is art rather than the person who is actually going to have a relationship with the piiece. That's what most important to me about what I do. I think of eterntainment as being very serious and impoirtant, from Laurel and Hardy upward. It has to do with emotions of release, giving up or extreme hilarity and absurdity.

Will Oldham, interviewed in Will Oldham on Bonnie 'Prince' Billy