A lot of my songs are about taking whatever life throws at you and making the most of it.

I love lamb shank. It's my favorite thing. You don't have it in America. It's a younger meat - it just falls off the bone - it's kind of like a roast. I really like blackened cod too.

Write your own songs. It helps you to mean what you're singing, which will then make it mean something to listeners.

The common denominator is a love of music.

Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find.

I got a job as soon as I could - 11 or 12. I started babysitting and then I got a part-time job at a pharmacy in England. I just remember loving the feeling of going out and buying my own clothes! I'd go bargain-hunting and get secondhand vintage stuff.

My family comes from New Zealand, but I'm a London girl. I was born and raised in London, but I've got the blood of a New Zealander, so I always kind of felt like I didn't belong - in a good way.