I think I'm more influenced, just in general, not by blues artists, but more by stuff from Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder is probably my biggest musical influence of all. And Donny Hathaway.

It seemed at first that everybody was more concerned with my age.

I'm glad I didn't know certain things earlier, because then it wouldn't be any fun.

My dad was good friends with the Bad Medicine Blues Band - one of the only blues bands in Fargo, as you can imagine! He took me out to see them play when I was 12 years old and I was really inspired by their guitar player, Ted Larsen.

I think it's like everything you do is just a reflection of who you are as an artist.

I've been in fortunate position of never really having to battle with my record company to do the things I wanted to do in the studio.

I think in the future I will end up doing a gospel album.