When I look at female characters, I want to recognize myself in them: my trials, my tribulations as a mother, as a lover, as a daughter.

I'm saying that the depth of exploration of the male psyche and the female psyche is uneven. I see further, deeper renderings of what it means to be a man.

There are some times when I think acting can be a noble profession. And when those rare roles come along, like 'Down to the Bone,' you have the opportunity to be of service.

Am I ambitious? I used to be afraid of that word but now I think ambition is a good thing.

Obviously, as long as I enjoy it, I'm fit, and have the desire to work 100 per cent every day with the same motivation, then I want to play.

I think there are a number of things that you can do to encourage your kids' dreams, but I do believe in speaking by experience of having a lot of help along the way, stumbling in the past. We've all stumbled, and we certainly all deserve to get up and walk again.

The years keep going by and you realize, Wow. Doing these records is such a process: going on tour for a year and a half, then you get home and you want to do other things.

For years and years, I would sit in my studio, and I wouldn't have any inspiration. I'd write one or two songs a year.