I was not even allowed to mention the name Madonna in my household - just because I think the '80s and '90s were so Madonna-filled. She was going through so many evolutions at that time.

Kids are so smart these days. They sense when there's a phony bologna out there. Especially in music, when they see something that's being marketed to them, they'll call it out. They'll be like, "This chick is bullshit."

I wanted to be that quirky girl who writes funny songs that still have meaning.

The records are black boxes for me. Like, if you want to know who I am, my views, my perspective, things I love, things I hate, my convictions, my anthems. I've never let people's opinions affect the way I write.

I come from a very non-accepting family, but I'm very accepting.

My style icons were Gwen Stefani, when she was in No Doubt, and then Shirley Manson in Garbage.

I had two cars repossessed, tons of debt. I had a horrible job that was damaging to my soul. After being on three different labels and knowing everyone and hearing yeses and nos and "You're it!" or "You're s - t!" I was depressed. But I never took no for an answer and really believed in myself.