There is a congratulatory culture in the Gulf. From birth onwards, there is a culture of giving people trophies as markers of achievement for making it through society. It's cementing allegiance to authority at a very young age.

I had a story-telling mother; she's written novels and short stories. So I feel like maybe I'm staying alive by telling tales.

I feel like I got my first real taste of Caribbean and Cuban culture while I was there. I have quite a sizeable Cuban vinyl collection from Miami thrift stores.

My music doesn't exist in a vacuum; there's a script and there's an actor and it's about to come together.

I'm fascinated by evil queens. They're very alluring and repellent at the same time, and I'm into that dichotomy.

I've never been to China. I only know what the West is telling me about China.

I still think you people need to be curious [in order to absorb the culture]. You need to search Uzbekistani pop music.