My approach to writing and recording now is pretty much the same as when I started. Except now I worry even less about what people will think of what I made. And I am not drunk.

Mostly, the people in "the room" are paid lobbyists representing interests that could afford to pay them. No wonder policy isn't being made that helps smaller, independent musicians or those unaffiliated with a larger entity.

When I began writing songs, there was a pretty direct line between what was happening in my life and what I wrote about. So my first album was really all about my failed attempts to make a particular relationship work.

I wanted to touch on the piece where often politicians use "god" to excuse their actions.

Really, everything for me comes from "Manifestra." It was an incredible gift of a song; it really describes an important moment in my life.

I think I have come across as "unafraid" because I really cannot control what comes through me in my writing.

I learned how to have a little bit of distance when I explained songs and a little bit of distance when I wrote them. I think this is more interesting any way in art.