[Songwriting is] something that I own - it's my property, it's my music, it's my voice.

I got to sing with the Boss, Sting, Pink and John Legend and all of those people. It felt like the pinnacle, and then I got the call. I cried, actually and I called my dad, it was really cool.

It's the hope for all the hopeless in the worst of trying times.

Being you is the only thing worth spotlighting.

I think the community that you're in really can define your ability to be at peace with your circumstances.

Although I really like the people I travel with, family is just different, and having them around at all times is a really nice thing - and a luxury.

Having an open dialogue, in any creative atmosphere, is really important to feeling free to tell the story the best way you can.