My dad calls me Mac a lot, from Mike Tysons Punch Out – Little Mac is the main character. I was obsessed. I can still beat Mike Tyson on Punch Out. – Mayer Hawthorne
I really love rap music. I grew up in the 80s and 90s with Public Enemy, N.W.A., LL Cool J – Im a hip-hop encyclopedia. But I got kind of frustrated with the chauvinistic side of rap music, the one that makes it hard to write songs about love and relationships. – Mayer Hawthorne
I was really fortunate growing up to have a broad musical education. My parents listened to all kinds of music, rock, soul, Motown, jazz, Frank Sinatra, everything. – Mayer Hawthorne
My dad taught me to play bass. Hes a bass player he still plays in a band in Michigan to this day. He taught me to play bass when I was about 6. I used to just go to band practice with him, and whoever didnt show up for rehearsal that day, I would take their spot. – Mayer Hawthorne
Ive never tried to find my real parents. Im very grateful to my mum and dad for adopting me – theyre completely incredible people. It was my dad who encouraged me to question everything, to forge my own path, to think, to read. I always felt it was my right to question everything. – Dan Stevens