I think when it comes to pop I'm past the point of curiosity. I admit to a full-on obsession with it, and I think it's getting worse, actually.

I always wanted to be known as a songwriter and not just a songbird.

I'm a little bit of a hippie at heart, so I always wear things that are comfortable and flowing.

I've never been an all-black girl. I like pinks and blues and greens. If you come over to my closet, you'll be able to find a rainbow of things to wear.

To put up a show is to face life's injustices with one of the few weapons available to a desperate and brave people, their imagination.

In film, you can create the illusion of time and space. People speak; characters reveal their feelings. You can use music, which informs how you should be feeling, and it carries you to the right emotional space.

I'm always easily frightened and I hate being scared. I've never been able to go on the haunted house rides at carnivals of anything like that; my imagination just takes over!

It was not cool to be that fun, bubbly kid, so I would just go off on my own and sing and make up songs, and that's how I think I developed into the kind of artist and writer that I am.