When I moved to New York in my 20s, I didn't have an obnoxious ego, but it was huge! I'll thought, "I'll never die and I can do anything."

I was pretty tough and serious in my 20s.

It was definitely in my mind to do a solo album, but I didn't know it would take this long.

The hard part was when I went into the studio with co-producer Eric Broucek, and he started slashing my demos. I always sweat that.

I went through a furnace and came out knowing who I am.

Certain people have the eye of the tiger, and I never was myself that kind of person, although I'm not a slacker.

Negative feelings can either lead to sinking into oneself and disappearing, or they can make you angry and want to prove that you're worthy to be in the conversation.