I always said when I was younger, I wanted to write film music, and I think that's what my ultimate dream is.

Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did and I'd say, well, it's kind of jazz, soul, classical - but that makes no sense to anyone. Now I say I just write my own songs. I thought I had to help people get me, but I don't think they need to be spoon-fed. If you connect with me that is cool. I don't need the whole world to feel like I am a soul angel.

You don't have to aim to be the best of everything, thinking that one day you're going to be the top of the world; I don't think it exists.

I don't talk about Amy Winehouse as a 'singer.' She's a pioneer. I listened to her endlessly when I started writing.

I write songs from the heart, and I don't hold back.

My songs are very personal, which means they are fantastically therapeutic to write, but performing them night after night is emotionally draining.

I respect hippos. They just look the way they do; they can't do anything about it, but they don't seem bothered.