Cage the Elephant Want to Talk Music, Not Money

If you ever have a chat with Cage the Elephant frontman Matt Shultz, a few words of advice: Don't ask him about business. In a recent interview with OurStage that mainly focused on Shultz' experience with money, major labels and career lessons, the singer eventually said, "All these questions about business make me nervous. Can we talk about music now?"

The interviewer obliged and Shultz happily revealed that he hears about new artists through friends, listing Screaming Tea Party, Let's Wrestle, Foals, Morning Teleportation, Vivian Girls, Wavves, Invisible Hand and Bleached Wail as bands he's currently into.

Before Shultz was in his comfort zone, though, he was asked whether he thought buying music was still relevant, and if playing live is how his band actually brings home any cash.

"I buy all of my music," Shultz said. "Of course, I still buy CDs. There's something romantic about having the physical artwork in hand. As far as making a living in the music industry goes ... well, so far we haven't made any money, so I wouldn't know."

Whether or not the Bowling Green, Ky., group are making much money right now, Shultz seems pretty content with the way things are going for them. With no traces of ill will, he said he wouldn't alter a thing about the choices he's made, even if he could.

"I think that the best lessons in life are learned through life experience, and I try to not fill my life with concerns that have to do with business matters. I've never been much of a politician -- I'm more of a people person," Shultz explained, later adding, "I wouldn't tell myself [to change] anything. The best part is not knowing."