I entered a songwriting competition, I didn't win, and one of the judges on the panel was an A&R man at a record label that had no other acts and I signed to them. We sent my demo out to five people and David Kahne got back to me that day, and said I think you're amazing I want to start with you tomorrow. He was like my Harvard reach school, I couldn't believe it. I was really excited. It was the first time anyone of any importance said I was good and I ran with that validation for a long time.

I mainly let my imagination be my reality. Fantasy is my reality.

I found it hard to make friends in school, because I was a cerebral person.

The world needs poetry now more than ever. It's the only thing that can keep music from copying itself and sounding the same.

I guess my strongest recurring theme is honoring love, even when it's lost.

Growing up I was always prone to obsession, partly because of the way I am, but partly because after feeling so lonely for such a long time, when I found someone or something that I liked, I felt helplessly drawn to it. I suppose that accounts for some of the creepiness in my music.

I wish I could escape into some alter-ego, just so I could feel more comfortable onstage.