I am well protected Too locked up Inside myself To get free

My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud.

With a book, there's no volume to turn up. You're very naked with a book.

I think young people should travel and travel often to other countries like I do.

The first several years of my life were used to upload incredible amounts of fear, and I just became afraid of everything. I was afraid of my parents, afraid of my classmates, afraid of the streets of Washington, D.C. I would flinch at every gesture.

Motivation has always been a fascinating factor when considering a touring artist, especially when the years stack up. What keeps one out there year after year?

As a young person, I was on the road playing music, so I was getting new environments shoved in my face whether I wanted them or not.