It was a shock, yes, and it really woke me up to how cynical the music industry was,

Don't ever follow me, because I am difficult.

I think it's very similar to American country music,

It hasn't got the scuzzy rock of the Vaselines, or the more refined scuzzy rock of Eugenius. It comes from writing songs on an acoustic guitar. I bought one again and, playing it in a public place, the songs just started to flow out.

Man Alive doesn't sound like anything I've done in the past,

In order to be good rap music, it's expected to have violence. Kinder, gentler rap music is not celebrated.