I still think of myself as from Illinois.

That's what I love. Not being interrupted, sitting in a car by myself and listening to music in the rain. There are so many great songs yet to sing

I think you translate emotion better when you take your hands off.

It's impossible to make a record when you're ill because it affects how you listen to things. You can't make decisions. It all sounds terrible.

Being in the studio is a really romantic time.

I find the songs I want to record by listening to as much music as I can. 'When I hear things I really like, I ask the writers to send me a tape of everything they've ever written.

I grew up in a school that had a big music program, and it was incredible. It's what I looked forward to during the day. I had chorus, strings, band.