Certain things you have to stumble on to. They can't be preprogrammed.

I love the idea that I planned my career. I did not. It started out by getting invitations from artists that I really love and respect, to share a stage... I've been very lucky in that I haven't had to create a five-year plan. It's evolved.

I just want the songs to have the staying power as my favorite songs. If you listen to any Hank Williams song, when you're in a good mood, it's going to put you in a better mood. If you happen to be bummed-out, you're going to feel maybe a little more bummed-out and better at the same time. At any time in my life, his music has had meaning and value to me. If a song can shape-shift in that way, that's a sign of success.

When you work on a record for three years, it's a great sense of relief when it is finally out in the world. It just feels good.

I went every Sunday to church when I was growing up, and I think that music had an affect on me before my memory can recall.

When I started writing, I used the singing side of the production as a vehicle for melody and lyrical ideas. Eventually, that process of using my voice to bring ideas across became more complicated, and I felt I could use it more as an expressive tool.

Try to take your vision and ego as far away from the song as possible. Give as much respect as you can to the song and the initial inspiration.