Emmylou Harris, Ben Folds, Brendan Benson and 10 Others Talk Making Art In Nashville

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At Paste, we talk about Nashville. A lot. Perhaps thanks to all the attention the city's been getting (or not getting) in the wake of the massive flood that slammed Middle Tennessee earlier this month, it recently became clear that, in almost every interview we've ever run with an artist from Music City, we've asked them how they like living and working there. Some folks might chalk that up to cliche-fueled journalistic laziness, but there's something undeniably compelling about the city—its history, its community, its residents famous and infamous and unknown. In celebration of a city working hard to get back on its feet, here's collection of Nashville sentiments—glowing and otherwise—Paste has pulled out of artists over the years.

"I love it. Everyone here is very ambitious and there’s a good work ethic. Detroit isn’t really the case. I like to stay busy so there’s plenty of people here to write with." —Brendan Benson (pictured left)

"There’s always been a really, really great scene, I think—because growing up in Nashville, you’ve got such a sense of the business being evil, the commerce part—that no one wants to take part in. I think now, me and my friends are just starting to realize you can make a living." —Jake Orral, Jeff The Brotherhood

"It’s incredible. We got here July 1 of last year, and I just feel like we’ve hit the ground running—we haven’t stopped. Every time you go out, every time we play a show, you meet another band or another person that wants to spread the word, and it’s like we’re all kind of locking arms and running forward together. It’s really cool. It’s been a really great place to live." —Madi Diaz

"It definitely feels really supportive. I feel like it’s what the ’70s were like. Or at least how I think the ’70s were like." —Kyle Ryan