I think in the world of rock music or whatever it's called - anything outside of Nashville - there's a lot more freedom within that industry to do whatever you want to do.

I mean, whose songs don't focus on tragedy and loss?

You can't be afraid to deal with your demons. You've got to go there to be able to write.

The more I separate myself from my upbringing, the more I appreciate what it's done for me.

I grew up around poets and novelists and my dad wrote poems about everything - from a cat sleeping in a window to a car wreck he passed on the highway. I learned not to censor myself: that was one of things I learned in my apprenticeship, my creative-writing apprenticeship with my dad.

There's this whole idea that you've got the blues and you're going to write. Bullshit. When I feel really bad, all I want to do is sit in front of the TV with the remote control and check out.

It's easier to write songs when you're single.