I wanted to be a writer. I still want to be a prose writer. I feel I am more temperamentally suited to that kind of life, although there are things I still want to do with music.

I've been embarrassing myself publicly for over 20 years. Why should I stop now?

I can't believe I got a major-label record deal. My music was quirky, and my voice was so odd and high and girlish, it was like a weird novelty act.

I've seen quite a bit of the world, but I really like Sweden and feel like I could live there some day.

I still have all the faith and love for my music and yet I'm still playing places for kids.

I'm really conflicted about my role as a front-person. I hate the attention.

Songwriting is like editing. You write down all this stuff - all this bad, stupid stuff - and then you have to get rid of everything except the very best.